Trinity returned to winning ways with an emphatic victory over Huddersfield Giants, in front of a vocal home crowd on a glorious Friday evening.
Bill Tupou featured for the first time in months after sustaining an injury, and Tyler Randell became a hat-trick hero of the night, but it was collective team efforts and desire that saw Trinity through and claim a comfortable, crucial win.
The Giants would be the ones the open the scores however, when on the eighth minute, Alex Mellor pounced on a well-timed grubber kick to touch down underneath the sticks.
Three minutes later Trinity hit back immediately, as Tyler Randell crossed for his first try of the match. Danny Brough then extended his side’s lead with two back to back penalties, as Trinity smartly opted for goal.
It wasn’t long before Huddersfield equalled the scores, as a looping pass outwide found Giants winger Louis Senior, who went in by the corner.
With the scores level at 10-10 and five minutes until the interval, Huddersfield’s Aaron Murphy found himself sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. Trinity took full advantage of a 12-man Huddersfield side, and capitalised once more as Tyler Randell produced show and go play – throwing a dummy and racing clear to score on the hooter.
The second half was to be a dominant Trinity display, with Brough slotting over a drop goal on the 45th minute, against his former club, making the scores 17-10.
A brilliant one on one ball strip by Ben Jones-Bishop gave Trinity vital field position, and a slick pass from Danny Brough sent Jordan Crowther slicing through the visitor’s defence to touch down.
Ryan Hampshire added another to penalty to edge Trinity even further ahead, and a flurry of Trinity tries then began in the final ten minutes.
On the 71st minute, Trinity captain Jacob Miller picked up a loose ball and raced away to add more to the Giants’ woes, and Tyler Randell did likewise to complete his hat-trick and seal the win for Trinity, ending a six-match losing streak.
The second half especially saw Trinity produce enticing and expansive play, highlighting the side’s capabilities. Trinity will no doubt have revived their confidence after a challenging few months, and will take this into next Saturday’s vital game against the Catalans Dragons in a scorching Perpignan, where they will hope to make it two wins on the bounce.
Trinity – Hampshire, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Tupou, Caton-Brown, Miller, Brough, England, Randell, Kopczak, Pauli, Tanginoa, Crowther. Subs – King, Wood, Fifita, Gwaze.
Tries – Randell (11, 40, 73), Crowther (48), Miller (71)
Goals – Brough (4/5) Hampshire (3/3)
DG – Brough (1/1), Miller (1/1)
Giants – McIntosh, Senior, Cudjoe, Turner, Senior, Gaskell, Frawley, Clough, O’Brien, Ikahihifo, Murphy, Mellor, Lawrence. Subs – Leeming, Matagi, Ferguson, Taai.
Tries – Mellor (8), Senior (27)
Goals – Gaskell (1/2)
Man of the match: Tyler Randell.