2021 SL Round 2, Huddersfield Giants 10 Catalan Dragon 20 – Report

Ben Guzdek reviews Huddersfield’s home tie to Catalan Dragons. Here’s how the game went.

SCOREBOARD

MATCH REPORT

1st Half

In a tight opening 25 minutes it was the Dragons who got on the board first, courtesy of Matt Whitley who took advantage of an offload to score. James Maloney added the extras to give the Dragons a 6-0 lead. 

But the Giants continued to press and got over the whitewash thanks to Chris McQueen, who found a gap in the Dragons defence and gave his side their first points, before Jake Wardle levelled the game from the spot. 

The Dragons wrestled the momentum from the Giants in the latter end of the first half, getting two quick tries before half-time, as well as six points from the kicking tee by James Maloney to ensure that the Giants were 14 points down as they hit the shed.

HALF-TIME: Huddersfield Giants 6-20 Catalan Dragons

2nd Half

Neither side assumed control of the game after the break, and the Giants would have to wait 20 second half minutes to cross for their second try. The Giants profited from back-to-back sets and Sam Wood found himself free to cross over in the corner. Jake Wardle this time, however, pulled the kick wide. 

The Giants would continue to press to reduce the deficit but failed to find the attacking gear to break down the Dragons, despite near misses from Sam Wood again.

But although Catalan didn’t score a try in the second-half, they eventually held on and got the win. They now join Saints, Wigan, Castleford and Hull FC as an undefeated side.

Huddersfield however will look to get their first win of the season when they face Leigh Centurions next week in the Challenge Cup.

FULL-TIME: Huddersfield Giants 10 – 20 Catalan Dragons

Follow Nothing But League on Twitter and Facebook.