Costin turns Giants into giant-killers

Huddersfield 30 Leeds 24

Dave Hadfield
Sunday 13 July 2003 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A last ditch try from Brandon Costin gave the resurgent Giants a second major scalp in a week as they humbled the Super League leaders. Leeds had battled back from 12 points down as they strove to salvage a record of not having lost to Huddersfield since 1965.

A draw looked the likely outcome when Costin had his drop-goal attempt charged down with time running out, but Jarrod O'Doherty retrieved the loose ball and Costin threaded his way over to seal a famous victory.

"There's a lot of good players in my side, but the thing they've got going for them is that they play as a team," said their proud coach, Tony Smith. "They've been building for these sort of performances."

With their triumph over Wigan last week fresh in their minds, Huddersfield made the perfect start last night, when Kevin Sinfield's pass rebounded off Chev Walker's chest and Stanley Gene - again at the heart of their best work - sprinted down the right wing to score after 35 seconds.

Costin's penalty made it a six-point lead, but Leeds equalised when Wayne McDonald stood tall in the tackle to slip the ball to Sinfield. Gene's second try was a bizarre affair, Mark Calderwood knocking the ball out of Jamie Bloem's grasp after he had crossed the try line. But the ball bounced off Bloem for the alert Gene to touch down.

Steve McNamara's three goals made it a 10-point lead by the break, before an extraordinary start to the second half. Russell Smith sent three men to the sin-bin in three separate incidents within three minutes. Huddersfield's Ben Roarty was the first to go, followed by David Furner and Matt Diskin. The 11 men of Leeds made inroads, however, when Danny McGuire's acceleration took him round his markers.

Huddersfield stretched their lead again, and from a loose ball the Giants worked a move smoothly to the left and Costin took Julian Bailey's return pass to score.

As Huddersfield's huge effort began to tell on them, Leeds came back with tries from McDonald and Furner. Sinfield's goals levelled the scores, but there was no doubt which side deserved win.

"I thought Huddersfield fully deserved their victory," admitted Daryl Powell, whose front runners are showing signs of a mid-season stumble "They're making a habit of beating teams above them at the top of the table."

Huddersfield, a running joke in Super League for several seasons, are now beginning to look towards that end of the table themselves "We've set ourselves goals," said Smith. "We're not saying what they are outside the changing rooms, but we've set them."

Huddersfield: Reilly; O'Hare, Bailey, Costin, St Hilaire; Gene, March; Fleary, Turner, Gannon, O'Doherty, Roarty, Bloem. Subs used: McNamara, Slicker, Morrison, Whitaker.

Leeds: Connolly; Calderwood, Walker, McKenna, Cummins; Sinfield, Burrow; Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Adamson, Poching, Furner. Subs used: Feather, McGuire, Jones-Buchanan, McDonald.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in