Only two berths in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup
remained as the Huddersfield Giants and nearest neighbours Wakefield Trinity
met in a West Yorkshire derby for the chance to join with; St Helens,
Warrington Wolves, Salford Red Devils, Hull KR, Hull FC, Catalans Dragons and either
Leigh Leopards or Batley Bulldogs in the last eight.
The Giants were given a small two-point start on the
handicap coupon, the bookmakers expecting that it would be a close affair
between two fierce rivals for cup progress.
The Giants haven’t lost at home to Wakefield since 2019
having won the last three encounters between the two sides on home turf with
the Giants also being victorious in the last Challenge Cup meeting back in 2018
with a ten-point victory.
The first opportunity of the game fell to Liam Hood on five minutes,
but the Trinity hooker spilled the ball as he went over the line.
Wakefield did open the scoring when skipper Mike McMeeken
took the pass five from the line and crashed over. It was no more than the
visitors deserved after dominating the opening fifteen minutes and keeping Huddersfield
penned in their own half. Max Jowitt added a simple conversion from under the
shadow of the sticks for a 6-0 lead.
Max Jowitt was helped off the field on twenty-five looking
unlikely to return and causing a reshuffle in the Trinity line-up. Despite
their dominance, the lead was only a single try.
On the half hour mark the Giants created an overlap with
Adam Swift taking full advantage to coast in by the corner flag. Liam Sutcliffe
converted brilliantly from the touchline to level the scores. The Giants had
weathered the storm and were now gaining an advantage.
The Giants hit the front on thirty-five, Sam Halsall going over
in the opposite corner to the first try. Sutcliffe kicked a second touchline
conversion for a six-point advantage.
Four minutes after the restart Liam Hood swatted away an
attempted tackle to go in with a scoot from dummy half to score. Mason Lino
took over the kicking from the injured Jowitt and added the conversion to level
the scores.
There was nothing to choose between the two sides.
Wakefield hit the front on fifty-eight after capitalising on
a Giants error in midfield, a Corey Hall pass setting free Tom Johnstone for a
regulation touchdown for the Trinity favourite. Mason Lino added his touchline
conversion for 18-12.
Wakefield were now on the front foot, the Giants scrambling
to stay in the game as it entered the last ten minutes.
The game was won on seventy-three when Johnstone rose above
the Giants defence to take a Trueman cross-field kick and drop to the ground to
score. Lino was unable to add the extras, a ten-point advantage with five
minutes remaining.
For long periods of the game there was little to choose
between the two sides and it was a couple of errors from the hands of the
Giants which allowed Trinity to edge ahead and secure the victory which puts
them into Monday night’s last eight draw and a place in the quarter finals. The
Giants will be kicking themselves for allowing this one to slip from their
grasp, but all credit to Trinity who dug deep in the second half and took their
chances when they arose for the victory.
Huddersfield Giants: McGowan, Swift (T), Milne, Bibby,
Halsall (T), Lolohea, Sutcliffe (G 2/2), Rogers, Golding, Wilson, Hewitt,
Murchie, Cudjoe. Subs: Deakin, Rushton,
English, Flanagan. 18th Man: Billington.
Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt (G 1/1), Walmsley, Pratt, Hall,
Johnstone (2T), Trueman, Lino (G 2/3), Storton, Hood (T), Hamlin-Uele, Croft, Vagana,
McMeeken (T). Subs: Atoni, Smith, Cozza, Faatili. 18th Man: Russell.
Half-Time: 12-6.
Full-Time: 12-22.
Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 4-6, 6-6, 10-6, 12-6: HT:
12-10, 12-12, 12-16, 12-18, 12-22 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: Wakefield – Square – Huddersfield – Square -
Wakefield.
Referee: Aaron Moore.
