Huddersfield drew 22-22 against Catalans Dragons thanks to a stunning last-second score
Last Updated: 01/06/15 1:55pm
Danny Brough held his nerve and kicked a superb touch-line conversion to salvage a dramatic 22-22 draw for Huddersfield against Catalans Dragons at St James’ Park.
The second day of Super League’s Magic Weekend started with a thriller as the Dragons surged into the lead by scoring 22 unanswered points, only to be denied victory by a brilliant late Jermaine McGillvary try and Brough’s conversion.
The Dragons were left to rue a crucial missed kick from Scott Dureau, who was presented with a routine conversion when the outstanding Todd Carney scored his second try but smacked it against the post.
The first-half was a tight affair, and Brough was the key figure, setting up a try with a delightful outside-of-the-boot kick which allowed the waiting Jodie Broughton to catch the ball and drop over the line for his first try of the season.
Brough then added a pair of penalties, as Catalans were punished for persistent indiscipline, and it was 10-0 to the Giants at the interval.
And Huddersfield extended their lead three minutes into the second half with a try very similar to their first, Brough hoisting another outside-of-the-boot kick, Jake Connor moving it on with a no-look pass, and Broughton going over once again.
Catalans were in trouble but they hit back when Louis Anderson charged through the middle and then offloaded to Eloi Pelissier, who scored from close range.
Tony Gigot then failed to hold on to the ball as he tried to go through a gap close to the line but the Dragons were on top now, as Carney produced a second-half masterclass.
The former Sydney Rooster sidestepped past Luke Robinson to score under the posts, Dureau adding the conversion, and Catalans led 18-16 with 10 minutes to play when Zeb Taia did really well to crash through a series of tacklers and grab a try which was also converted.
Carney then carved Huddersfield open with another brilliant piece of play before finding Dureau, who was only halted by a high tackle from McGillvary.
The television match referee ruled that Carney had managed to touch the loose ball down for a try but, still shaken up after the late hit, Dureau narrowly missed the conversion.
That left the door open for Huddersfield, who were only six points behind, and they drew level in the dying seconds thanks to a brilliant effort from McGillvary.
The ball was floated out to him on the right wing and the 27-year-old showed brilliant athleticism to ground the ball in the corner despite the attentions of a defender.
And Brought then stepped up to bisect the posts with a beautiful conversion kick, denying the Dragons what would have been just a second win on English soil this season.