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Page last updated at 19:43 GMT, Saturday, 20 March 2010

Harlequins RL 18-32 Huddersfield Giants

Harlequins (6) 18
Tries: Randall, Melling, Clubb Goals: Orr 3

Huddersfield Giants (14) 32
Tries: Gilmour, Cudjoe 3, Crabtree, Horne Goals: B Hodgson 4


Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe has now run in seven tries this season for the Giants

Huddersfield Giants winger Leroy Cudjoe ran in a hat-trick of tries to steer his side back into third place in the Super League table at The Stoop.

Lee Gilmour and Cudjoe bagged tries inside the first six minutes as the Giants opened up an early 10-0 lead.

Despite Cudjoe's second score, Chad Randall's try then helped Harlequins haul it back to 14-6 by the interval.

But Cudjoe struck again after the break and, despite Quins' late rally, Eorl Crabtree and Graeme Horne settled it.

Despite awful conditions, it did not take long for the Giants to hit their stride against the bottom club, Gilmour cashing in as Jamie O'Callaghan misjudged Kevin Brown's teasing chip.

And, within a matter of seconds Huddersfield had crossed for their second score, Cudjoe racing on to Brett Hodgson's superb kick to cross in the corner.

Harlequins slowly forced their way back into proceedings through sheer work-rate, but they rarely troubled the visitors' line in the teeming rain.

And they were punished when, after appearing to have chosen the wrong option by going right, Luke Robinson's chip allowed Cudjoe to canter over.

The home side threw themselves a lifeline right on the half-time hooter when, after some pressure close to the Giants line, Randall burrowed over after David Howell was held just short.

Both sides were dealing with the awful conditions extremely well. But the Giants, still on a high after last weekend's comeback win over reigning champions Leeds, eased further ahead soon after the restart when Cudjoe completed his treble, once again following a Robinson break.

The game was effectively over as a contest on the 50-minute mark, Crabtree bulldozing his way over. And, with the hosts seemingly tiring from their defensive effort, Huddersfield stepped on the gas when Horne broke into space to touch down for the sixth Giants try.

To their credit, back came Quins, Chris Melling profiting from a neat Randall kick to scurry under the posts.

And, after Huddersfield coughed up possession on the halfway line moments later, Melling burst through to enable Tony Clubb to slide in at the corner.

At 30-18, that took them to within two scores of the Giants with still 15 minutes left. But, when Danny Orr infringed, Hodgson kicked a penalty to settle Huddersfield's nerves.


Harlequins coach Brian McDermott said:

"I think that was our best performance of the season and I am proud of them.

"There are so many young players out there but slowly things are coming off and we are building something.

"We need to keep it real and we will not get ahead of ourselves."

Huddersfield Giants coach Nathan Brown said:

"At 30-6 we looked well in control but they hung in there and put us under pressure.

"We do not seem to play the conditions well enough - in wet weather we need to focus on building pressure rather than scoring tries and that is something we need to learn.

"But that is three wins on the bounce for us and we will go to St Helens next week in confidence."


Harlequins RL: Jones-Bishop, Sharp, Clubb, Howell, O'Callaghan, Melling, Orr, Wilkes, Randall, Ward, Williamson, Bolger, Golden.
Replacements: Bryan, Williams, Bibb, McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Huddersfield: B Hodgson, Cudjoe, Wild, Gilmour, D Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, D Griffin, Lunt, Raleigh, Horne, Fa'alogo, Aspinwall.
Replacements: Crabtree, Patrick, Grix, Faiumu.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).



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see also
Harlequins 22-26 Salford
14 Mar 10 |  My Club
Huddersfield 26-20 Leeds
12 Mar 10 |  My Club
The BBC's Super League Show
15 Mar 10 |  My Club


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