Match Report by Emma Holley
Trinity secured a long-awaited victory against the Huddersfield Giants on Thursday evening, and their first win since the Super League restart in August, as they pipped their Yorkshire rivals 14-18, at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
It was a solid effort from Trinity tonight, who showed the utmost unity, after what has been a difficult week for the club.
Matty Ashurst would be the one to open up the scores for Trinity, finishing off a nice grubber kick from skipper Jacob Miller. It was a promising start, and would be the beginning of a confident performance from the get-go.
It didn’t take Huddersfield long to hit back however, as former NRL star Aidan Sezer would level the scores, just five minutes later. The current front-runner of the Man Steel leaderboard managed to fool the Trinity defence with a dummy, and cross next to the posts.
A high cross-field kick from Sezer proved to cause problems for the Trinity outfit, as Jake Wardle reached up for the ball, before offloading to Jordan Turner, who would in turn claim another try for the Giants before the break.
The second half would then bring drama to the field and spectators’ television screens; something that Trinity have missed being involved in, in recent weeks.
As the Giants thought they had extended their lead seven minutes in, they were to be denied by the video referee, as the score-line read 10-6.
They would capitalise before the final quarter however; Aidan Sezer again with the try-assist. He proved to be the one to watch tonight for Trinity, as he flung a looping pass to Sam Wood, who shrugged off Tom Johnstone to slide over in the corner.
But a beautiful pass from Max Jowitt meant that Trinity were able to hit back just five minutes later, as Tom Johnstone went over to narrow the gap.
Just two points behind, Trinity thought they had scored again through Ben Jones-Bishop and snatched a win from the Giants, but were denied by the video referee, for an offside incident.
Six minutes remaining and tension running high, Trinity were able to keep up their burst of momentum going, forcing Huddersfield to cough up possession on their own goal line.
A hard and brave hit from Jacob Miller on Sam Wood forced the error, and Miller was able to offload to Tom Johnstone, who sprinted over for his brace, and secured the club’s first win in ten matches.
Not only an all-rounded spirited and quality performance from Chris Chester’s men, but Trinity displayed some expansive play in attack, and a solid defence throughout, making it a proud and positive night overall, as well as relieving to finally grind out a win.
It is now a short turnaround for Trinity, who will spend the rest of the week preparing for their fixture against Hull Kingston Rovers, on Sunday.
The match will take place at the Mobile Rocket Stadium, for the first time since March, where Trinity defeated Bradford Bulls in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.
Trinity will be hoping to build-on this win, and hopefully put in another great performance, but this time, eagerly on home soil.
Although the match will not be televised on Sky Sports, fans can watch the match via the Our League app, and follow the Trinity Twitter page for continual updates!
Trinity: Jowitt, Johnstone, Croft, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Hampshire, Miller, Battye, Ashurst, Batchelor, Arona, Crowther, Tanginoa. Subs: K. Wood, Fifita, Tanginoa, Aydin.
Tries: Ashurst (17), Johnstone (55, 74)
Goals: Hampshire (3/3).
Giants: Senior, Wood, Turner, Cudjoe, Jake Wardle, Gaskell, Sezer, Lawrence, Edwards, Joe Wardle, English, Moore, McQueen. Subs: Russell, Gavet, Matagi, Ta’ai.
Tries: Sezer (22), Turner (35), Wood (51)
Goals: Gaskell (2/3)
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Man of the match: Jacob Miller