Giants stride back on top

Huddersfield are back on top of the Super League table after beating champions Leeds 22-12 at Headingley.

The Rhinos were much improved from their 46-6 drubbing at St Helens last week, but were still no match for a superbly-drilled Huddersfield side who defended magnificently and created plenty of chances with ball-in-hand.

Leeds, without five internationals through injury and illness, took the lead with Zak Hardaker's 25th-minute try but the visitors replied through Greg Eden, Jermaine McGillvary, Jason Chan and Eorl Crabtree before Kylie Leuluai grabbed a consolation try.

Huddersfield, who had Australian forward Luke O'Donnell playing his first match for seven months after undergoing major knee surgery, were the livelier side from the start, with Danny Brough kicking intelligently while strong running from David Fa'alogo and Chan put the Rhinos defence under strain.

But it was the champions who opened the scoring when Hardaker caught Kevin Sinfield's accurate crossfield kick and the skipper added the conversion.

The visitors deservedly drew level six minutes later when Crabtree took Brough's short pass to crash over for a try and they went in front four minutes before the break when Chan supported a break by Scott Grix to touch down.

Brough added both conversions to give his side a 12-6 interval lead and they strengthened their grip with two tries in five minutes early in the second half.

Clinical

They wasted an opportunity when prop Larne Patrick reached the Leeds line but lost the ball on the line, but demonstrated more clinical finishing when full-back Eden regathered the ball from winger McGillvary's kick ahead to touch down.

Eden then repaid the favour with a break, supported by Brough, to set up the position for a try for McGillvary to score.

McGillvary went close again and Crabtree went on a barnstorming run through the middle as Huddersfield piled on the pressure, but Leeds showed their resilience and hit back with their best spell of the match.

The Rhinos managed to gain some repeat sets and prop Leuluai was held up over the line, before taking Sinfield's pass to crash over for his side's second try on 67 minutes.

Sinfield kicked his second goal but Huddersfield held out to win with something to spare and confirm their credentials as genuine title contenders.