Giants end 12-match losing run with win at York

Betfred Super League

York (6) 22

Tries: Nofoaluma, Galeano, Thompson, Inman Goals: Bennison 3

Huddersfield (6) 24

Tries: Jagger, Lolohea, Wrench, Woolford Goals: Flanagan 4

Huddersfield Giants ended a run of 12 successive Super League defeats with a spirited victory at York Knights – although they were almost denied by a York comeback in the closing minutes.

Zac Woolford’s try had put Huddersfield 24-10 in front with 10 minutes left to play, but veteran forward Jordan Thompson – who marked his 400th career appearance with a try – and Tom Inman touched down in quick succession to reduce the Giants’ lead to two points.

However, the visitors held firm for the final four minutes to secure their first win since beating the same opponents on 4 April and clinch a first victory under Jim Lenihan, who was appointed as head coach in May.

Tui Lolohea played an important role for the Giants, scoring a try himself and setting up scores for Lewis Jagger and Connor Wrench.

David Nofoaluma had touched down Paul McShane’s lofted kick to open the scoring for York and Scott Galeano crossed soon after Lolohea’s try to cut the Knights’ deficit to 12-10.

Converted scores by Wrench and Woolford looked to have put Huddersfield on course for a comfortable win, but York’s quick double caused some late nerves before the final hooter.

Huddersfield remain adrift at the bottom of the Super League table but they have cut their gap to second-from-bottom Hull FC to four points.

Huddersfield host Hull in their next fixture on Thursday.

York had beaten Huddersfield at Magic Weekend earlier in July during a run of three straight wins, but successive defeats by Toulouse and Huddersfield have halted their positive momentum.

Their next five fixtures are all against clubs currently in the top half of the table.

York: Mata’afa; Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma; Hunter, McShane; Thompson, Inman, Va’a, Wood, Field, Hingano.

Interchanges: Balmforth, Vaughan, Martin, Foster.

Huddersfield: Evalds; Flanagan, Wrench, Gagai, Jagger; Rush, Lolohea; Patolo, Woolford, Rogers, Hewitt, Dunford, Rushton.

Interchanges: King, Greenwood, Cozza, Geyer.

Referee: Tara Jones