Trinity 17 – 16 Giants – Drop goal drama in Giants derby.

Trinity ensured back to back wins with a dramatic drop-goal victory over Huddersfield Giants on Friday evening.

David Fifita starred in the thrilling derby, bagging himself a brace, while Danny Brough faced his former club, and Tinirau Arona made his 100th Trinity appearance.

It was a tight encounter at the Mobile Rocket Stadium, with great defensive efforts from both sides and play shifting from one end of the field to another in the first half.

Despite numerous penalties in the opening ten minutes of the game, Trinity were unable to break down a strong Giants’ defence, but continued to build the pressure. The scores finally opened on the fifteenth minute through Reece Lyne, who cut through the visitor’s line after a looping pass out wide from Danny Brough to claim the first try.

Jermaine McGillvary soon levelled the scores, after Trinity conceded a last tackle penalty. A pass from out wide sent the winger into space and he crossed in the corner. Another penalty then edged the Giants further in front, as they opted for goal.

A Darnell McIntosh dummy extended Huddersfield’s lead before the interval to give them the advantage heading into half-time, leaving Trinity with work to do.

The second half however sparked a Trinity revival, with the home side dominating most of the affair. Both defences remained firm, and with fifteen minutes to go an outstanding break and fancy footwork from David Fifita sent him crashing over, with Brough successfully converting to equal the scores, 10-10.

It wasn’t long before Huddersfield hit back, with Darnell McIntosh taking in a Matt Frawley kick, and grabbed his brace. But team spirit and a trademark Fifita try kept Trinity in the game on the 73rd minute, as the prop forward barged his way over the line; his efforts earning him another well-deserved Man of the Match this season.

As the scores were all square at 16-16, it was set for a tense last few minutes, but Brough, who had been a Giants target all night, slotted over a one-pointer to clinch it, to haunt his old club and halt their recent winning streak.

Trinity will look to continue their fantastic home run when they host Wigan Warriors next Friday night, 12th April, K.O. 7:45pm.

Trinity: Hampshire, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Arundel, Jowitt, Miller, Brough, Fifita, Wood, Arona, Pauli, Ashurst, Crowther. Subs – Horo, Kopczak, Hirst, King.

Tries: Lyne (15), Fifita (65, 73)

Goals: Brough (2/3)

DG: Brough (1/1)

Giants: McIntosh, McGillvary, Turner, Senior, Uate, Russell, Frawley, English, Leeming, Mantagi, Hewitt, Mellor, Lawrence. Subs – O’Brien, Roberts, Ikahihifo, Taai.

Tries: McGillvary (19), McIntosh (32, 70)

Goals: Russell (2/4)

Half-time – 4-10

Full-time – 17-16

Attendance – 4,730

Man of the match – David Fifita

MATCH REPORT BY EMMA HOLLEY