Jermaine McGillvary scored a brace as Huddersfield Giants overturned a half-time deficit to beat Hull KR and move four points clear of the bottom of the Super League table.
MATCH DETAILS
Junior Vaivai, Joel Tomkins and Craig Hall all scored first-half tries as Rovers led 8-16 at the break, but then the tide turned.
After McGillvary and Innes Senior went over in the opening forty, Kruise Leeming crossed to give the Giants hope and when Jake Wardle followed in his brother Joe’s footsteps, Huddersfield had all but sealed the two points.
Danny Addy did manage to pull one back for the travelling Robins late on but it came far too late to inspire a comeback of their own as KR fell to a fifth straight loss.
The disappointing defeat leaves Rovers precariously placed in the table, just two points above bottom club London Broncos.
Salt was rubbed in the wounds of defeat for the visitors as veteran half-back Danny McGuire tore his quad and will now miss the Magic Weekend clash with Salford.
It was, however, Huddersfield’s first win in three league matches and the two points lift them level on points with eighth-placed Wigan.
FOUR POINTERS
Huddersfield don’t give up
Just like against St Helens in their previous match, the Giants came fighting back from two scores down and this time claimed a stunning victory. Their spirit and determination wil be key in the fight for survival.
KR must improve
KR have now lost five games in a row and remain level on points with Leeds Rhinos and London Broncos at the bottom of the table. Only above the foot of the table on points difference, the Robins need to pick their game up, otherwise a return to the Championship looms.
Rovers are capable of staying up
Despite their defence leaking tries left, right and centre, KR once again showed their quality in attack, Craig Hall in particular. If the East Hull side are to avoid relegation, he will play a pivotal role.
The Giants need to sort their defence out
Like Rovers, Huddersfield gift their opposition points but they have the necessary firepower to turn a game on its head. If their defence can cut out sloppy errors, they will be all but safe. If they don’t, they could yet be in trouble.
THE RESULT
Huddersfield 30
Tries: McGillvary 2, I. Senior, Joe Wardle, Jake Wardle, Leeming
Goals: Russell 2, Gaskell
Drop Goals: n/a
Hull KR 22
Tries: Vaivai, Tomkins, Hall, Addy
Goals: Shaw
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Huddersfield: McIntosh, McGillvary, Turner, Jake Wardle, I. Senior, Gaskell, Russell, English, O’Brien, Matagi, Murphy, Hewitt, Joe Wardle.
Interchanges:ย Clough, Leeming, Lawrence, Ta’ai.
Hull KR:ย Hall, Shaw, Keinhorst, Crooks, Vaivai, McGuire, Drinkwater, Maria, Addy, Mulhern, Linnett, Tomkins, Lawler.
Interchanges:ย Hauraki, Garbutt, Atkin, Lannon.
