Huddersfield Giants 6-23 St Helens
Attendance: 11,338
St Helens followed up their opening game victory over Warrington, by beating Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium.
Despite the home side taking the lead early, Saints ran in five tries to seal victory and avenge last season’s shock defeat.
James Graham and Jason Cayless were ruled out through injury for the Grand-Finalists, as well as having Francis Meli stuck in New Zealand due to visa problems.
The Giants, who have also been victims of the visa clampdown after Todd Carney’s move collapsed, were looking to build on their superb win at the Catalans.
The victory wasn’t as easy as the score line suggests, as Saints waited until the last five minutes to end the brave challenge of the Giants.
New captain, Brett Hodgson, who had an impressive game at full-back, converted a penalty in the third minute after Wellens was penalised for holding down.
But the visitors hit back after 15 minutes, when a sweeping move from right to left, ended with Gilmour passing to Wellens who crossed over.
Five minutes later, they extended their lead, this time via the right hand side as Gidley fed Gardner, who managed to squeeze into the corner.
The lead was further extended after half an hour, when a drop-out from Huddersfield resulted in a try for Gilmour, who was supplied by Pryce.
Sean Long’s disappointing season with the boot continued, as he converted only one from five attempts in the match, as his team went in at half-time only 12-2 in front.
Gilmour’s eventful game continued in the second half, as he knocked-on to give the home side the scrum.
Robinson chipped a kick to Whatuira on the last tackle, who bundled himself over the line to peg back the score.
This gave them the impetus to launch an onslaught on the Saints try-line for most of the remaining period, but were unable to find a way through.
Scott Moore, on-loan at the Giants from St Helens, was the architect of much of the play, and will have sent a reminder out to Mick Potter about his talent.
But with five minutes to go, new signing Puletua ended any Huddersfield hopes of a fight back, after a penalty was awarded from Fa’asavalu’s break.
Long added a drop-goal, just to make the game safe, before youngster Wheeler added a try in the corner.
Huddersfield: B Hodgson, Aspinwall, Lawrence, Whaturia, D Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Moore, D. Griffin, Raleigh, Wild, Finnigan.
Replacements: Lolesi, Jackson, Korkidas, Lunt.
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Gilmour, Armstrong, Pryce, Long, Puletua, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Wilkin, Flannery, Clough.
Replacements: Roby, Fa'asavalu, Frodsham, Wheeler.
Referee: T Alibert (France)
Shamoon Hafez
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