engage Super League XII Game 1 Review

St Helens 18 (L.Gilmour 2, L. Pryce, A. Gardner tries; S.Long goal) def Huddersfield Giants 10 (M. Gardner try; C.Thorman 3 goals)

Att: 9,212

Engage Super League champions St Helens gained a hard fought victory over Huddersfield Giants in the first game of the 2007 season at Galpharm Stadium.

The Saints raced into in a 14-2 lead by running in three quick fire tries, Lee Gilmour had the honour of scoring the first try of the 2007 season. The other scores came from Leon Pryce and Ade Gardiner.

Just before the break the Giants got back into the game when Matt Gardner squeezed over in the corner. Chris Thorman added the extras and with a further penalty, the lead was cut to 14-10 at the break.

However, it was the visitors who came out of the traps quickest after the restart, Gilmour, playing on with a broken nose, scoring his second after good handling from Jason Cayless and James Roby.

Mid way through the second half, John Wilkin was sin-binned for a late tackle on Thorman, who was concussed.

With a one-man numerical advantage, Huddersfield tried their hardest to breach the Saints line, Earl Crabtree had a try disallowed by the video ref, but stout defence from the visitors held the hosts out as the champions gained the first points of the new season.