Hodgson spares his Giants
Huddersfield captain Brett Hodgson held his nerve to kick a last-gasp penalty and rescue a 16-16 draw against Hull KR.
Last Updated: 25/06/10 10:41pm
Brett Hodgson was the hero for Huddersfield as his last-gasp penalty rescued a 16-16 draw against Hull KR at the Galpharm Stadium.
The reigning Man of Steel proved he had nerves to match when he stepped up to slot over two points from the left touchline with time expired.
A pair of Michael Dobson penalties in the final quarter had looked enough for the plucky Robins to end a four-match losing streak on their travels.
However Hodgson had other ideas, booting his team level after a breathless finish that had seen the Giants twice go close to scoring a winning try.
Great escape
The great escape didn't look like it would be needed when Huddersfield scored 14 unanswered points to turn an early 12-0 deficit into a lead.
Fresh off a win over Rovers' fierce rivals Hull FC in their last outing, Nathan Brown's side dominated early on behind their powerful pack.
But for all their early dominance, particularly up front in the forwards, it was Rovers who broke the deadlock after 16 minutes.
Scott Murrell saw his own kick ricochet nicely back into his path, allowing him to hack it forward again before dropping on the loose ball. Dobson added the extras to make it a 6-0.
Michael Ratu came close to scoring on the right soon after before the Robins did eventually double their lead, Clint Newton roaring over with the Giants caught cold expecting a kick on the last tackle.
Both scores had come off the back of penalties and, clearly not impressed by what he was seeing, Nathan Brown sent on Brad Drew and David Faimu.
The double change seemed to have the desired effect for Huddersfield, though it was new England international Kevin Brown who led the comeback.
The stand-off sent in a delightful grubber kick to set up Michael Lawrence's first try of the campaign and then scored the second himself nine minutes after the re-start, taking Drew's pass to race through a massive gap.
Brett Hodgson converted both and then put the hosts in front for the first time with a 52nd minute penalty from long range.
At that stage it appeared the Giants would press on, just as they had done in the second half against the Airlie Birds having trailed 18-0 at the interval.
Rallied impressively
However Rovers rallied impressively from losing their advantage, getting their noses back in front thanks to four points from Dobson's trusty left boot.
It seemed they'd clinched the win when Ben Galea somehow got back to deny Brown a second try, though it was touch-and-go as to whether he had played the man first before attacking the ball and causing a knock-on.
Yet there was still to be a late twist for Justin Morgan's men, as they shot themselves in the foot by losing the resulting scrum against the head.
With the seconds ticking down Danny Brough put in a high kick to the left that David Hodgson collected and attempted to plant down in the corner.
The winger was forced out before he could ground the ball, though video referee Richard Silverwood correctly spotted that Peter Fox had tackled his opposite number while he was still in the air making the catch.
Knowing there was no time left on the clock, skipper Hodgson had to step up to rescue a draw. The full-back kept his cool, sending over a superb kick that perfectly disected the uprights.