NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 4
3 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Huddersfield Giants celebrated their engage Super League survival with a 20-12 victory over French outfit Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.
Robbie Paul gave the Giants an early lead and Chris Nero and Stuart Donlan put them on course for success by touching down after Justin Murphy had replied for the Dragons.
Julien Rinaldi crossed to give the hosts late hope but Martin Aspinwall secured the Giants? win with his side?s fourth try.
On-loan Wigan Warriors three-quarter Kevin Brown was the Giants? inspiration, having a hand in each of the visitors? tries.
Brown outshone the Dragons? Kiwi talisman Stacey Jones to help the beaten Powergen Challenge Cup finalists to a deserved 11th win of the campaign.
It was a disappointing way for the Dragons, who now look set to finish bottom of the table in their first season the competition, to wrap up their home campaign.
Paul opened the scoring on 14 minutes with Michael de Vere converting before the French responded through Murphy's 24th try of the season, which put him top of the engage Super League scoring charts. Laurent Frayssinous added the extras.
Huddersfield got back in front just before the break when Nero sprinted 50 metres to score in the corner.
The contest remained just as tight during the third quarter with Dragons substitute Rinaldi cancelling out Donlan?s effort.
Aspinwall put the game beyond the home side, however, when he capitalised on a Brad Drew kick to the corner to touch down.
The result gives Huddersfield mathematical hope of overhauling Warrington Wolves to claim the last play-off spot but they will need Hull FC to beat the Wolves convincingly on Sunday to give them a realistic chance.
Catalans Dragons: (6) 12. Tries: Murphy, Rinaldi. Goals: Frayssinous 2.
Huddersfield Giants: (10) 20. Tries: Paul, Nero, Donlan, Aspinwall. Goals: De Vere 2.
Catalans Dragons: Bosc, Murphy, Sadaoui, Hughes, Verges, Frayssinous, Jones, Beattie, Rinaldi, Guisset, Fakir, Hindmarsh, Mounis. Replacements: Berthezene, Chan, Jampy, Griffi.
Huddersfield Giants: Reilly, Aspinwall, Nero, De Vere, Donlan, Brown, Paul, Jackson, Drew, Gannon, Smith, Raleigh, Wild. Replacements: Thorman, Crabtree, McDonald, Jones.
Referee: Bob Thaler
Att: 6,463
Source: superleague.co.uk