Huddersfield (6) 34
Tries: Robinson, Horne 2, Lawrence 2, Lunt
Goals: Brough 5
Wakefield (4) 10
Tries: Dean, Jeffries
Goals: Veivers

Graeme Horne is in his second season with Huddersfield

Graeme Horne and Michael Lawrence both ran in two second-half tries to see off Wakefield and send Huddersfield up to second in the Super League table.

Having led only 6-4 at the break, after Luke Robinson's try and a Danny Brough penalty, the Giants were still only 12-10 ahead approaching the hour mark.

But four tries in 17 minutes through Lawrence, Horne, his second, and Shaun Lunt gave the result a lopsided look.

Wakefield's two tries came from centre Chris Dean and stand-off Ben Jeffries.

The Wildcats, plunged to the bottom by Crusaders' win at Salford on Saturday night, have now lost their last five Super League meetings with West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield.

But, as three of those ended up with the Giants topping 50 points, this was a much more encouraging performance from John Kear's men.

Having left out six regulars as he again rotated his squad, Giants coach Nathan Brown, who had used 27 players in six games, was hampered by the loss of prop Keith Mason, who is to have a scan after going off with a knee injury.

But former Wakefield star Brough proved the difference, setting up both of Lawrence's efforts and a try for Horne, as well as kicking five goals.

The improvement wasn't down to what I said at half-time, but more what the players did. They came out with more aggression in the second half Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown

The Giants' only first-half try came from Robinson's solo effort, Huddersfield's joint captain for the day wriggling between three defenders to reach the line after nine minutes.

But, after Dean levelled with his third try of the campaign, Josh Griffin, playing against his brother Darrell for the first time, then fluffed his conversion to leave it tied at 4-4.

The Giants had a try ruled out in first-half stoppage time when referee Robert Hicks ruled that Leroy Cudjoe's defence-splitting pass had gone forward. But Brough earned his side their interval lead with his penalty just before half-time.

And the Giants finally stamped their authority when Horne went over two minutes into the second half.

Jefferies responded with a converted try for the Wildcats eight minutes later, converted by Josh Veivers, to reduce the gap to two points.

But they were then buried by Huddersfield's 22-point haul in the final quarter as the Giants sneaked above Cas into second on the narrowest of points difference margins.

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown:

"We've made changes to the team over the last six games and the players who've come in have done well. But the players today didn't look hungry at the start. There was a lack of intensity.

"The improvement wasn't down to what I said at half-time, but more what the players did. They came out with more aggression in the second half.

"Some high quality players have not played today and we could be missing another one in Keith Mason. But it's a chance for someone else to step up."

Wakefield coach John Kear:

"We showed good skill and a strong commitment to defence in the first half. But we've got to realise rugby league lasts 80 minutes. It's not 40 really good minutes and then 40 minutes of hanging on.

"Julien Rinaldi had a great game, and he's in form. He was one of the few who applied himself for the full 80 minutes.

"I don't think we'll be able to get the squad to where we'd like it to be this season. The time for recruitment has passed and we'll probably have to work with what we've got. But there's always a chance that we could bring a player or two in because we're still under the salary cap."

Huddersfield: Cudjoe; McGillvary, Wardle, Lawrence, Simpson; Robinson, Brough; Mason, Lunt, Raleigh, Ferguson, Horne, Faiumu.
Replacements: Grix, Patrick, Griffin, Kirmond.

Wakefield: Murphy; G Johnson, Dean, Griffin, George; Jeffries, Lee; Korkidas, Rinaldi, P Johnson, Morrison, Mariano, Howarth.
Replacements: Veivers, Higgins, McCarthy, Amor.

Attendance: 7,267.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

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