Huddersfield Giants 28-12 Catalans Dragons: Highlights and match report

Huddersfield continued their fine start to the season with arguably their most impressive win to date as they beat last season’s league leaders Catalans at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The result sees the Giants leapfrog their opponents into third position in the Super League table, having now won five of their opening seven games.

Highlights

Kicking accuracy helps Giants win:

Huddersfield kicked all six of their attempts from the tee this evening, proving a real decider in the outcome of this game. Catalans missed all three of their conversion attempts and they couldn’t apply any scoreboard pressure off the back of their tries. The Giants success with the boot allowed them to keep the Dragons at arm’s length on their way to victory, despite only scoring four tries to their opponents three.

Huddersfield lay down marker:

After a poor 2021, Ian Watson’s side have started the 2022 season in fantastic form. They looked fluid in attack, despite losing Will Pryce to a lengthy suspension, and if they can continue to play this well then teams will need to be on red alert for the Giants this season.

Match Report

Two sides who will be reasonably happy with their start to 2022, this was a tough one to call with the visitors coming in as slight favourites having won five in a row since their opening day defeat to St Helens.

The game kicked off late as the Dragons had transport issues coming over from France but it was the Perpignan-based club who got the first try of the game through Samisoni Langi after four minutes – the centre scoring after a smart kick from halfback Josh Drinkwater. Their lead only lasted 10 minutes as the Giants responded through prop forward Owen Trout, before the hosts attempted to take control.

Off-season recruit Danny Levi was instrumental for Huddersfield, and he grabbed the third try of the game after some smart footwork. In a tit-for-tat first half, Catalans ensured the game remained in the balance going into the break as winger Tom Davies dotted over after more good work from Drinkwater.

With the score 12-8 at half-time, the Giants extended their led to six with a penalty shortly into the second half. With the scores so close the next try was going to be crucial, and it was Huddersfield who got it as French playmaker Theo Fages found a way over against his fellow countrymen. The Dragons kept their hopes alive on the hour mark, with replacement centre Joe Chan scoring his side’s third four-pointer of the night, but a third consecutive missed conversion left the visitors trailing by eight points going into the final quarter.

Huddersfield sealed their win in the 70th minute as back-rower Josh Jones grounded the ball under pressure, with the successful conversion by Lolohea putting the score out to 26-12 in what proved to be an unassailable lead.