Huddersfield Giants impress in eight-try romp against St Helens
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 22/05/16 9:28pm
Huddersfield produced their most impressive performance of the season to beat St Helens 48-20 in the fifth game of Magic Weekend in Newcastle.
The Giants had only won three of their first 14 Super League games this season but ran in eight tries against a below-par Saints side who only briefly threatened a late rally.
Despite the high final scoreline, it took more than 20 minutes for the first points to be scored, which came when Jermaine McGillvary made the most of an overlap to dive over for the first Giants try.
Ukuma Ta'ai scored their second on 27 minutes, ploughing over from close range, with the video referee needed to confirm it.
They made it three tries in eight minutes when Aaron Murphy and Jamie Ellis combined to go most of the length of the pitch, Ellis finishing the move off to make it 16-0.
St Helens opened their account four minutes before half-time with Matt Dawson on the end of a long move involving Theo Fages and Adam Swift.
But they failed to take any momentum into the second period and McGillvary extended the Giants' lead back out to 16 points with a 42nd minute score, his second of the afternoon.
Sam Rapira scored their fifth try on 50 minutes, jogging through a huge gap in the Saints defence, and Murphy made it six five minutes later as their lead suddenly extended to 34-6.
Murphy's score was one to savour, coming after a superb piece of skill from Jake Connor that saw him run on to his own half-volleyed kick.
The next 14 points would belong to St Helens, though, as they threatened an incredible comeback.
Jack Owens and Fages scored tries just before the hour mark, and when Swift opened up the last 10 minutes with another score, Saints had cut the deficit to 12 points.
But a penalty on Kyle Amor put the Giants into scoring territory and Ryan Hinchcliffe barged over from close range to end any thoughts of an unlikely victory before Kyle Wood rounded off the scoring in the 78th minute.
Brough converted seven of the tries on a day when he contributed 16 points as the Giants moved two points ahead of bottom side Leeds.