Giants bounce back in style
Huddersfield quickly buried the memory of their Challenge Cup final defeat with a 42-16 win over Celtic Crusaders.
Last Updated: 05/09/09 9:53pm
Huddersfield dispelled any fears that they may suffer with a Challenge Cup hangover by cruising to a 42-16 win over Celtic Crusaders.
The Giants got back to business after their final heartbreak at the hands of Warrington with a seven-try demolition of Super League's bottom club.
Playing their last match at Brewery Field before they move to Newport, the Crusaders did manage consolation scores through Mark Lennon, Steve Tyrer and Anthony Blackwood.
However, Huddersfield - who are already certain of a place in the play-offs - were never in danger of missing out on the two points, despite fielding a weakened line-up in Bridgend.
Visiting coach Nathan Brown still included eight members of that team that lost out to the Wolves at Wembley plus three more finalists on the bench.
The much-changed team didn't take long to break the deadlock - David Hodgson crossing for their first try after just four minutes.
Cudjoe conversions
Liam Fulton followed with the first of his two tries on the night and Larne Patrick extended Huddersfield's advantage by touching down on 34 minutes.
Leory Cudjoe, playing at full-back in place of the rested Brett Hodgson, landed all his conversion attempts to make it 18-0 at the break.
The Giants refused to take it easy on their opponents, though, and five minutes into the second half Paul Whatuira reached the line.
Shaun Lunt helped himself to a quick-fire brace soon afterwards before the hosts finally got some points on the board through Blackwood.
Although the away side crossed again through Fulton, Cudjoe landing his seventh successful conversion to complete an excellent night with the boot, it was the Crusaders who finished the stronger.
Tyrer dived over with seven minutes to play, also adding the extras. The former St Helens centre was on target again following Lennon's score in the closing stages of a game that had ended long before as an actual contest.