Huddersfield Giants picked up their second win of pre-season as they powered to a 28-16 win over Hull FC at Brantingham Park.
Both teams named youthful squads, but it was the Giants who came out on top with Jack Billington scoring two tries, while Fenton Rogers, Alex Chippendale and Tom Burgess also touched down. Elliott Middlemas bagged a brace and Callum Kemp and Arthur Romano also scored for the Black and Whites.
Here’s a look at some of the talking points from East Yorkshire.
Giants too strong
Reading into pre-season results is not advised, but after the misery of last season, wins over York Knights and Hull FC will have Huddersfield approaching the action with a spring in their step.
Luke Robinson’s side were too strong for York last week and with a much-changed team, they got the better of FC at Brantingham Park. It was Hull who started the faster of the two as youngsters Lloyd Kemp and Elliot Middlemas combined with the latter touching down the former’s bouncing kick.
Huddersfield responded well and Fenton Rogers gave them the lead as he took advantage of a mistake from Hull on their own 10m line.
Jack Billington ran a good line to find a hole in the Black and Whites’ defence and get the Giants’ second before Arthur Romano capped a fine performance with a try just before the break.
Alex Chippendale got Huddersfield’s third, diving over shortly after the restart and despite a second from Middlemas, the Giants pulled away against a young Hull outfit. Tom Burgess powered over with ease before Billington grabbed another.
Kemp got himself over late after a mistake from Chippendale but it was nothing more than a consolation as Huddersfield got the result.
Arthur Romano takes chance
The former Catalans Dragons man has competition for places at centre but he gave John Cartwright some food for thought on Sunday afternoon. The Frenchman started well with a strong hand off inside the opening few minutes before making in roads into a Huddersfield edge that featured former Hull man Liam Sutcliffe.
He managed to get himself over for a try, too, latching onto a short grubber kick from Callum Kemp to touch down.
Davy Litten and Zak Hardaker are the recognised starting starters at the MKM Stadium, but Romano certainly laid down a gauntlet to them heading into the start of the new season.
Huddersfield size
Luke Robinson selected a strong middle unit for the trip to East Yorkshire and in doing so, he demonstrated just how much size and depth he has at his disposal. Fenton Rogers, and Joe Greenwood started the game with the former standing out as one of the claret and gold’s best performers through the middle.
But they were replaced by Tom Burgess and George King at the break with Matty English getting game time, too. Add in Chris Patolo and Tristan Powell, who weren’t involved at Hull Ionians, and it’s clear that Huddersfield’s pack could be a force to be reckoned with this year.
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