Super League club explains why they aren’t organising more away travel ahead of huge fixture

All the focus this weekend will be on Leigh Leopards and Hull KR as they meet at Wembley but this week we will see Huddersfield Giants travel over to St Helens as the Giants chase the likes of Hull FC, Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves and Saints hunt down Wigan Warriors and a spot in the top two.

This game was scheduled for Round One of this season but due to St Helens’ World Club Challenge commitments against Penrith Panthers which they won in a great moment for British rugby league.

The game could not find a new date however until St Helens were knocked out of the Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage by the Leigh Leopards even though some wanted it played when England took on France earlier this season.

It is a big game, maybe even a make or break contest, in both sides’ seasons and Huddersfield have already sold out their coach travel to the match.

Tickets are still on sale leading to questions from fans as to why more coaches haven’t been organised.

The club explained: “There is currently a waiting list, but this would need sufficient demand to make it commercially viable for us to run.”

The game comes after they defeated Castleford Tigers 28-0 last week.

A flowing move from right to left found the ball in Sam Halsall’s hands, and the winger slid over in the corner. Olly Russell was unable to add the extras, however the Giants led 4-0. It was Jake Connor again who provided the crucial assist to Halsall, his third in as many games.

The Tigers needed a response, and they nearly got it through Jack Broadbent. Gareth Widdop danced around the Giants defence to put in a grubber kick, however an awkward bounce took it away from Broadbent’s outstretched hand. A Giants knock-on gifted the Tigers an opportunity, however they couldn’t make the field position count.

They would later rue this missed opportunity, as Leroy Cudjoe extended the visitors lead. The powerful forward raced home following a great run from Russell to give the Giants an eight point advantage. Russell was on hand to add the extras and the Giants now led by 10.

Jake Connor’s boot has been a huge weapon for the Giants in their recent turn of form, and it very nearly came to good use again. The full-back lofted the ball high into the air on the last tackle, and following an Alex Mellor knock-on, the ball found itself in Ash Goulding’s hands; but the powerful winger was held up over the line.

A swift break from Tui Lolohea turned defence into attack for the visitors, and they would turn this into yet more points. ‘Try machine’ Chris McQueen put his long limbs to good use as he reached out and dotted the ball down to score his side’s third try. Russell was unable to kick the conversion; however the Giants had a very comfortable 14-0 lead going into half-time.

Following a fairly frantic opening 40, the second-half started slowly. Both teams threatened their opponents line; however the Giants would eventually add their fourth.

In similar fashion to the first try, a move from right to left got the ball to Jake Connor, who linked up with Sam Halsall to send the winger over in the corner for his second try. Olly Russell missed a tricky conversion, however the Giants led by 18 points.

The Giants would turn the pressure up even more in the following exchanges. Jake Bibby nearly latched onto a grubber from Jake Connor, Matty English was held up over the line and Leroy Cudjoe was stopped just short of the whitewash; but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.

In the dying embers of the game, Ash Goulding broke from his own half to set up a great opportunity for the Giants to score, which they gleefully took. Leroy Cudjoe burst through a tackle and threw a basketball pass into the grateful grasp of Sam Halsall for his hat-trick try. Russell couldn’t convert from out wide.

The final nail in the coffin came from former Tiger Adam Milner. A swift move through the middle found Matty English with the ball, and he executed a simple two-on-one to send Milner over for the sixth try. Olly Russell slotted the conversion in front of the sticks to make it 28-0 and wrap off an impressive win for the Giants.