Huddersfield Giants Secure 20-12 Victory Over Castleford Tigers in Thrilling Magic Weekend Showdown
Last Updated: 18/08/24 8:35pm
In an exhilarating conclusion to the 2024 Betfred Super League’s Magic Weekend at Elland Road, the Huddersfield Giants triumphed over the Castleford Tigers with a score of 20-12, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Tries by Sam Halsall and Sam Hewitt, along with four successful conversions from Jake Connor, provided the Giants with a solid 12-0 lead at halftime. The Giants maintained their edge despite a difficult moment when Tui Lolohea was sent to the sin-bin for ten minutes.
Esan Marsters widened the gap for Huddersfield early in the second half with a converted try upon his return from injury. Castleford’s Jason Qareqare, however, made a remarkable impact with two tries, keeping the match competitive.
Connor later sealed the victory with a critical late penalty, ensuring the Giants’ first win since their previous match against Salford Red Devils. This victory positions Huddersfield three points clear of the Tigers in the standings.
Game Highlights
The Giants opened the scoring within four minutes of the match, with Marsters setting up Halsall for a swift try, successfully converted by Connor. Soon after, Connor showcased his skills with a precise 40-20 kick, though the Giants could not capitalize due to a knock-on.
Another try by Hewitt followed soon after, driven by strong teamwork, where Cudjoe passed to Lolohea, who in turn set up Hewitt to score after an impressive run.
As the game progressed, Castleford failed to convert their numerical advantage due to Lolohea’s sin-bin, with a critical try-saving tackle from Tex Hoy preventing further gains for the Tigers.
A shift occurred in the 58th minute when Qareqare scored his first try after taking advantage of a Giants’ player being in the sin-bin, bringing the score to 12-6. Qareqare’s acrobatic second try kept Castleford in contention, narrowing the gap to just four points.
Ultimately, Connor’s 76th-minute penalty brought calm to the Giants, keeping their hopes alive for a stronger season.
Coaches’ Insights
Huddersfield Giants interim head coach: Luke Robinson reflected on the match, stating, “We put ourselves in a good position early but struggled at the start of the second half.” He emphasized their need to focus on maintaining intensity.
Castleford Tigers head coach: Craig Lingard noted, “Giving a team 18 points before executing our game plan is tough.” He commended Huddersfield for their strong performance in the first half.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Huddersfield Giants will face the Salford Red Devils on Saturday, August 24, while Castleford Tigers are set to play against Warrington Wolves the night before. Both matches will showcase the continued intensity of the Betfred Super League.
