So the big day of the clubcall has arrived and I still can't help but think this is something of a gimmick, I don't know what anyone else thinks about it.
Every other team sport has a structure and this is unusual, however gimmick or not in my eyes, it does buy the RFL more media attention because it is different.
Last year it was Leeds that had the clubcall and they opted to play Catalans Dragons. This year, by virtue of being the highest placed winner on the league ladder after the first week of the play-offs, St Helens have the honour and the unusual step of being able to pick who they will play in the last ever first team game at Knowsley Road.
The teams they can pick from are arch nemesis Wigan, who defeated Hull KR 42-18 on Friday night or tough nut Huddersfield who accounted for Warrington 34-22.
Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown was already putting his troops on standby for a trip to St Helens, although he did say, "whoever we play now, they are both good teams."
This is true, should Saints opt to take on Wigan, it would pit Huddersfield against current Super League Champions Leeds.
So despite my personal thoughts on the issue, I guess we'll find out in a couple of hours who will play who, and the media will report accordingly.
Showing posts with label Huddersfield Giants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Huddersfield Giants. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Saturday, 18 September 2010
RL Comment: Giants deserve shot at the big time (Spoiler Warning)
Huddersfield Giants are 80 minutes away from a trip to Old Trafford after they dumped much fancied Warrington out of the Super League play-offs by virtue of a 34-22 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium tonight.
From the outset, Huddersfield ran harder with the likes of David Fa'alogo, Keith Mason and Darrell Griffin keen to make an impact. This laid the platform from where their little men bossed proceedings. With Luke Robinson and Danny Brough alternating things at dummy half and then later mixing things with Shaun Lunt, Warrington didn't know what to expect while linkmen Brett Hodgson and Kevin Brown gave excellent performances.
The Giants were first to trouble the scoreboard after three minutes when a switched pass by Robinson found Stephen Wild and the Salford-bound backrower cut through for the try and Brett Hodgson chipped in with his first goal.
Warrington then thought they had claimed a try to Chris Hicks after Lee Briers angled kick but the video referee felt otherwise.
The Wolves were then lulled into a false sense of security by Brough. He had been kicking early in the tackle count but as he feigned, the halfback instead stepped and blistered through the defence before Danny Kirmond supported at his shoulder for the second try of the game.
A near perfect first quarter was brought to an end when Brett Hodgson kicked through and Lee Gilmour cleverly controlled the ball with his foot to touch down. Again the fullback was on hand to convert and mae it 18-0.
Finally Warrington began to build a bit of pressure and two kicks down the left from David Solomona and Ryan Atkins saw Hodgson get the ball dead for a drop out.
That spell proved short lived as Huddersfield motored down the ground again and only good work from Chris Hicks denied a try for David Hodgson after a clever grubber kick by Kevin Brown. The next try was all Brown's doing after Larne Patrick drove close to the line. A quick play-the-ball then released Brown and he showed strength to get downward pressure despite the attentions of two players.
With just four seconds play remaining in the half, Brough struck a masterly drop goal from forty metres and Huddersfield led 23-0.
Warrington needed the first try in the second half and it came after four minutes when Michael Monaghan's pass was taken by Mick Higham who proved as slippy as an eel to get through the defence. Ben Westwood goaled before Brough's kicking and the Giants eager chase saw them force a couple of drop outs. From the first, Warrington conceded a penalty when Briers dumped Lunt but Hodgson missed the goal.
On 53 minutes, Hodgson converted an altogether more straightforward penalty and a 19 point lead looed too much for the Wolves to overcome. It was at this stage that mistakes started to creep into the Giants game.
Hicks grounded a try in the corner for the Wolves on the hour and Huddersfield were rocking five minutes later when Higham somehow broke through from dummy half after searching for the penalty and acquplaned over despite the best efforts of Brett Hodgson.
Brough appeared to give Huddersfield the edge with another blistering break and chip kick and when Briers again trangressed, Hodgson put over his fifth goal. Leading 27-16, Huddersfield threw the ball away and as a scrap broke out, Matt King sent Hicks in for his second try of the game. Westwood converted superbly from the touchline and this sparked a frantic finish.
If Brough's first drop goal was majestic, his second after seventy eight minutes was anything but. After referring the decision upstairs, referee Phil Bentham awarded the goal which just about scraped the crossbar on its way over.
At the restart, Warrington went short and regained possession through King. A miracle play on the left looked on but instead of finding an unmarked Chris Riley the lofted pass was plucked out of the air by Leroy Cudjoe who set off running, realised the tackler coming across was Adrian Morley and moved through the gears to touch down 90 metres down field. Hodgson converted for his sixth goal of the evening and the Giants will now wait on the result of "club call" tomorrow lunchtime before knowing who and when they will play next week.
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 34 (Tries: Wild, Kirmond, Gilmour, Brown, Cudjoe. Goals: B Hodgson 6/8, Drop Goals: Brough 2) defeated WARRINGTON WOLVES 22 (Tries Higham 2, Hicks 2. Goals: Westwood 3/4) at Halliwell Jones Stadium.
This was a cracker of a game with the right result. Huddersfield wobbled but managed to settle the ship while Warrington were shocked at the tenacity and pressure being put on them by their visitors in the first half.
From the outset, Huddersfield ran harder with the likes of David Fa'alogo, Keith Mason and Darrell Griffin keen to make an impact. This laid the platform from where their little men bossed proceedings. With Luke Robinson and Danny Brough alternating things at dummy half and then later mixing things with Shaun Lunt, Warrington didn't know what to expect while linkmen Brett Hodgson and Kevin Brown gave excellent performances.
The Giants were first to trouble the scoreboard after three minutes when a switched pass by Robinson found Stephen Wild and the Salford-bound backrower cut through for the try and Brett Hodgson chipped in with his first goal.
Warrington then thought they had claimed a try to Chris Hicks after Lee Briers angled kick but the video referee felt otherwise.
The Wolves were then lulled into a false sense of security by Brough. He had been kicking early in the tackle count but as he feigned, the halfback instead stepped and blistered through the defence before Danny Kirmond supported at his shoulder for the second try of the game.
A near perfect first quarter was brought to an end when Brett Hodgson kicked through and Lee Gilmour cleverly controlled the ball with his foot to touch down. Again the fullback was on hand to convert and mae it 18-0.
Finally Warrington began to build a bit of pressure and two kicks down the left from David Solomona and Ryan Atkins saw Hodgson get the ball dead for a drop out.
That spell proved short lived as Huddersfield motored down the ground again and only good work from Chris Hicks denied a try for David Hodgson after a clever grubber kick by Kevin Brown. The next try was all Brown's doing after Larne Patrick drove close to the line. A quick play-the-ball then released Brown and he showed strength to get downward pressure despite the attentions of two players.
With just four seconds play remaining in the half, Brough struck a masterly drop goal from forty metres and Huddersfield led 23-0.
Warrington needed the first try in the second half and it came after four minutes when Michael Monaghan's pass was taken by Mick Higham who proved as slippy as an eel to get through the defence. Ben Westwood goaled before Brough's kicking and the Giants eager chase saw them force a couple of drop outs. From the first, Warrington conceded a penalty when Briers dumped Lunt but Hodgson missed the goal.
On 53 minutes, Hodgson converted an altogether more straightforward penalty and a 19 point lead looed too much for the Wolves to overcome. It was at this stage that mistakes started to creep into the Giants game.
Hicks grounded a try in the corner for the Wolves on the hour and Huddersfield were rocking five minutes later when Higham somehow broke through from dummy half after searching for the penalty and acquplaned over despite the best efforts of Brett Hodgson.
Brough appeared to give Huddersfield the edge with another blistering break and chip kick and when Briers again trangressed, Hodgson put over his fifth goal. Leading 27-16, Huddersfield threw the ball away and as a scrap broke out, Matt King sent Hicks in for his second try of the game. Westwood converted superbly from the touchline and this sparked a frantic finish.
If Brough's first drop goal was majestic, his second after seventy eight minutes was anything but. After referring the decision upstairs, referee Phil Bentham awarded the goal which just about scraped the crossbar on its way over.
At the restart, Warrington went short and regained possession through King. A miracle play on the left looked on but instead of finding an unmarked Chris Riley the lofted pass was plucked out of the air by Leroy Cudjoe who set off running, realised the tackler coming across was Adrian Morley and moved through the gears to touch down 90 metres down field. Hodgson converted for his sixth goal of the evening and the Giants will now wait on the result of "club call" tomorrow lunchtime before knowing who and when they will play next week.
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 34 (Tries: Wild, Kirmond, Gilmour, Brown, Cudjoe. Goals: B Hodgson 6/8, Drop Goals: Brough 2) defeated WARRINGTON WOLVES 22 (Tries Higham 2, Hicks 2. Goals: Westwood 3/4) at Halliwell Jones Stadium.
This was a cracker of a game with the right result. Huddersfield wobbled but managed to settle the ship while Warrington were shocked at the tenacity and pressure being put on them by their visitors in the first half.
SL PREVIEW - THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS BUT THEY HAVE TO BEAT WARRINGTON
Huddersfield Giants haven't beaten Warrington in three attempts this season and in order to upset the applecart and upset the expected top four party, that is exactly what they need to do.
At the Galpharm in February, Warrington won through narrowly - 14-10 before an outstanding performance in the Challenge Cup saw a demolition job. It was expected to be a close game, afterall the two clubs got to the 2009 final but it turned into anything but with Warrington winning by 60-4. The worrying thing for the Giants is that cutting edge centre Chris Bridge is back, and in form.
The England international scored five tries against the Giants in May and since returning to the Wolves first team panel he has scored 3 tries and 6 goals in two games. This has come after he was tipped not to play again this term after an injury sustained in June against Leeds.
The last time the teams met was at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and once again, Warrington had the upper hand winning 36-20.
Tries on that day for the Wolves came from Paul Wood, Chris Riley, Adrian Morley, Bridge, Chris Hicks (2) and Matt King while Bridge also weighed in with four goals. Huddersfield registered tries by Luke Robinson, Jomahl Lolesi, and Leroy Cudjoe (2) with Brett Hodgson booting a couple of goals.
Brett Hodgson is looking to continue the Giants recent form, which took an upturn after coach Nathan Brown performed a U-turn and opted to stay at the Galpharm for the rest of his contract after earlier saying that he was going to return to Australia.
The experienced fullback, who enjoyed a lengthy NRL career with Wests Tigers and picked up the Man-of-Steel award last year, will take up a two year contract with the Wolves in November but until then he is fully committed to the Giants.
Huddersfield have some usefl players. Wingers Leroy Cudjoe and David Hodgson have scored 23 and 25 tries respectively while at halfback there is an embarrassment of riches with Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough all taking on the roles at various times this season. Robinson is a tough character who has also worked a lot at hooker this season with former Workington Town number nine Shaun Lunt. Lunt has bagged himself 11 tries while in a solid pack David Fa'alogo, Larne Patrick, Lee Gilmour, Andy Raleigh, Eorl Crabtree and Darrell Griffin have all made an impact with Keith Mason looking to do likewise if he can force his way into selection having served his three match ban for an incident at Wigan.
Warrington are perhaps even more explosive.
In addition to Bridge, Chris Hicks, Chris Riley and Matt King have all claimed 20 or more tries this season and even if they can be contained, Ryan Atkins could cause untild problems. The brains trust will probably lie with Michael Monaghan and Lee Briers after Richie Myler failed to recover in time from his turned ankle and the Wolves pack is among the best in Super League with Morley, Ben Westwood and Ben Harrison all very consistent while Paul Wood and David Solomona really add to the team from the bench.
All in all it looks like another interesting game in prospect.
Although bookmakers are tipping a Warrington win, we only have to look back a month for what was the Giants result of the season - an 18-16 defeat of Wigan in their own back yard! That in itself offers caution.
At the Galpharm in February, Warrington won through narrowly - 14-10 before an outstanding performance in the Challenge Cup saw a demolition job. It was expected to be a close game, afterall the two clubs got to the 2009 final but it turned into anything but with Warrington winning by 60-4. The worrying thing for the Giants is that cutting edge centre Chris Bridge is back, and in form.
The England international scored five tries against the Giants in May and since returning to the Wolves first team panel he has scored 3 tries and 6 goals in two games. This has come after he was tipped not to play again this term after an injury sustained in June against Leeds.
The last time the teams met was at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and once again, Warrington had the upper hand winning 36-20.
Tries on that day for the Wolves came from Paul Wood, Chris Riley, Adrian Morley, Bridge, Chris Hicks (2) and Matt King while Bridge also weighed in with four goals. Huddersfield registered tries by Luke Robinson, Jomahl Lolesi, and Leroy Cudjoe (2) with Brett Hodgson booting a couple of goals.
Brett Hodgson is looking to continue the Giants recent form, which took an upturn after coach Nathan Brown performed a U-turn and opted to stay at the Galpharm for the rest of his contract after earlier saying that he was going to return to Australia.
The experienced fullback, who enjoyed a lengthy NRL career with Wests Tigers and picked up the Man-of-Steel award last year, will take up a two year contract with the Wolves in November but until then he is fully committed to the Giants.
Huddersfield have some usefl players. Wingers Leroy Cudjoe and David Hodgson have scored 23 and 25 tries respectively while at halfback there is an embarrassment of riches with Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough all taking on the roles at various times this season. Robinson is a tough character who has also worked a lot at hooker this season with former Workington Town number nine Shaun Lunt. Lunt has bagged himself 11 tries while in a solid pack David Fa'alogo, Larne Patrick, Lee Gilmour, Andy Raleigh, Eorl Crabtree and Darrell Griffin have all made an impact with Keith Mason looking to do likewise if he can force his way into selection having served his three match ban for an incident at Wigan.
Warrington are perhaps even more explosive.
In addition to Bridge, Chris Hicks, Chris Riley and Matt King have all claimed 20 or more tries this season and even if they can be contained, Ryan Atkins could cause untild problems. The brains trust will probably lie with Michael Monaghan and Lee Briers after Richie Myler failed to recover in time from his turned ankle and the Wolves pack is among the best in Super League with Morley, Ben Westwood and Ben Harrison all very consistent while Paul Wood and David Solomona really add to the team from the bench.
All in all it looks like another interesting game in prospect.
Although bookmakers are tipping a Warrington win, we only have to look back a month for what was the Giants result of the season - an 18-16 defeat of Wigan in their own back yard! That in itself offers caution.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
RL Comment - Crusade over in Wales for 2010
Crusaders saw their play-off aspirations evaporate at the Galpharm when former Widnes forward Jordan James was sinbinned with eleven minutes remaining and the score in the expansion sides favour by 10-6.
During his spell off the field, Larne Patrick scored in support of Darrell Griffin. Clinton Schifcoske levelled matters with a penalty that came courtesy of the restart before a wayward pass from Wellar Hauraki couldn't be taken in by Vince Mellars. This allowed Danny Brough the chance to collect possession and offload for Leroy Cudjoe to finish from 30 metres. Cudjoe's 23rd try of the season couldn't have come at a more crucial time and Brett Hodgson goaled for the 18-12 win.
There was little to choose between these sides throughout and in the first half, Crusaders played the better percentage rugby. That half remained locked at 0-0 until just after the half hour when Brough tried to get a pass away and halfback Rhys Hanbury collected and set sail on a 40 metre intercept. Clinton Schifcoske goaled and then added a penalty to ensure that the visitors, cheered on by a vociferous Welsh crowd, led 8-0 at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half, Huddersfield scored when smart play from Luke Robinson saw him run at the defence, find the hole and then dummy support to go over himself. It was a wonderful individual try, full of guile and trickery. Hodgson converted and Schifcoske put another penalty over before the frantic last ten minutes came after James was yellow carded for pulling the ball away from Cudjoe when he was trying to get the ball back in play for a twenty metre restart.
Some people may point to the validity of having a team in Super League from Wales, especially considering that just two of the seventeen players on show were British but there is no doubting the job that Brian Noble has done. He has now led three different teams into the Super League play-offs but whether he will remain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham next year remains to be seen.
During his spell off the field, Larne Patrick scored in support of Darrell Griffin. Clinton Schifcoske levelled matters with a penalty that came courtesy of the restart before a wayward pass from Wellar Hauraki couldn't be taken in by Vince Mellars. This allowed Danny Brough the chance to collect possession and offload for Leroy Cudjoe to finish from 30 metres. Cudjoe's 23rd try of the season couldn't have come at a more crucial time and Brett Hodgson goaled for the 18-12 win.
There was little to choose between these sides throughout and in the first half, Crusaders played the better percentage rugby. That half remained locked at 0-0 until just after the half hour when Brough tried to get a pass away and halfback Rhys Hanbury collected and set sail on a 40 metre intercept. Clinton Schifcoske goaled and then added a penalty to ensure that the visitors, cheered on by a vociferous Welsh crowd, led 8-0 at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half, Huddersfield scored when smart play from Luke Robinson saw him run at the defence, find the hole and then dummy support to go over himself. It was a wonderful individual try, full of guile and trickery. Hodgson converted and Schifcoske put another penalty over before the frantic last ten minutes came after James was yellow carded for pulling the ball away from Cudjoe when he was trying to get the ball back in play for a twenty metre restart.
Some people may point to the validity of having a team in Super League from Wales, especially considering that just two of the seventeen players on show were British but there is no doubting the job that Brian Noble has done. He has now led three different teams into the Super League play-offs but whether he will remain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham next year remains to be seen.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Super League Match Summary
HUDDERSFIELD 24 CASTLEFORD 0
Injury hit Castleford gave as good as they got in a Yorkshire derby tonight at the Galpharm Stadium, however despite their immense effort and emerging with credit, it was the Giants that took the points.
Huddersfield fell to a surprise 30-18 defeat at Salford on Monday and their defence won through as the injury hit visitors, missing the influence of their two first choice halfbacks and highly rated youngster Joe Westerman could not find a way through. In fact just twice in the game did they ever truly trouble Huddersfield. The first came when a Ryan McGoldrick grubber kick went agonisingly close to an out stretched Ryan Clayton while the second opportunity went the way of loan man Mike Cooper but the young Warrington forward could not hang onto the ball as the decision got pushed upstairs to video referee Ian Smith.
Huddersfield opened the scoring midway through the first half when Kevin Brown somehow got the ball away and David Hodgson flew in at the corner for Brett Hodgson to convert. David Hodgson grabbed a second try after five minutes of the second half before Castleford had the ball for nine sets thanks to penalties and Huddersfield errors.
The Giants defence stood firm and they responded with two further tries in the last 15 minutes. First Hodgson ran clear for his hat-trick before Danny Brough linked with Luke Robinson and his pass on the right saw Jamahl Lolesi score his first try in 11 months and Brett Hodgson added his fourth goal to move Huddersfield up to third in the table.
Injury hit Castleford gave as good as they got in a Yorkshire derby tonight at the Galpharm Stadium, however despite their immense effort and emerging with credit, it was the Giants that took the points.
Huddersfield fell to a surprise 30-18 defeat at Salford on Monday and their defence won through as the injury hit visitors, missing the influence of their two first choice halfbacks and highly rated youngster Joe Westerman could not find a way through. In fact just twice in the game did they ever truly trouble Huddersfield. The first came when a Ryan McGoldrick grubber kick went agonisingly close to an out stretched Ryan Clayton while the second opportunity went the way of loan man Mike Cooper but the young Warrington forward could not hang onto the ball as the decision got pushed upstairs to video referee Ian Smith.
Huddersfield opened the scoring midway through the first half when Kevin Brown somehow got the ball away and David Hodgson flew in at the corner for Brett Hodgson to convert. David Hodgson grabbed a second try after five minutes of the second half before Castleford had the ball for nine sets thanks to penalties and Huddersfield errors.
The Giants defence stood firm and they responded with two further tries in the last 15 minutes. First Hodgson ran clear for his hat-trick before Danny Brough linked with Luke Robinson and his pass on the right saw Jamahl Lolesi score his first try in 11 months and Brett Hodgson added his fourth goal to move Huddersfield up to third in the table.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
RL Comment - Brough is a Giant
The "will he/won't he?" saga of Danny Brough is now over after the Scotland international joined Huddersfield Giants today in a transfer that includes Michael Korkidas and Danny Kirmond going in the direction of Wakefield plus cash.
Brough is a talented player but how many halfbacks do Huddersfield want or need on their books? Kevin Brown, Gregg McNally, Brough and Luke Robinson are just four I can name quickly while there is also Kyle Wood, currently with Batley on a dual contract to throw into the mix. I find this an interesting move and one that surely signals that a couple of those players are on their way out. Giants boss Nathan Brown was obviously impressed by Brough and Robinson has also spoken about the healthy competition that the latest recruit provides.
It certainly means that there is more chance that the Giants will push for honours this year - these are heady days up at the Galpharm Stadium.
Here is a copy of the official statement released on the Huddersfield Giants website:
GIANTS SIGN DANNY BROUGH
Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats can confirm that they have completed a deal which will allow scrum half Danny Brough to join the Giants.
Following protracted negotiations, the compensation package that has been agreed between the two Engage Super League clubs sees Brough join the Giants with immediate effect until the end of the 2014 Super League season.
As part of that package Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will receive an undisclosed financial settlement and they have signed prop forward Michael Korkidas on a long term loan basis and utility forward Danny Kirmond on a shorter term loan.
The Giants loaned Greek international Korkidas to the Wildcats last year and he has continued to play at Wakefield on the same basis. He is now contracted to remain at the Hearwell Stadium until the end of the 2011 season.
Kirmond, who joined Huddersfield from Featherstone Rovers in 2007, will join Wakefield on loan until the end of the 2010 season.
Danny Brough commented, “I’m glad that all the speculation has now ended and my future is settled. I would like to thank the Wakefield club and their fans for their support of me. I like to think that I have contributed to their rise up the table to the point where they are now sitting in the top part of the league on a regular basis.
“In particular I have enjoyed working with John Kear who has been great to me for a long time. I felt ready for a new challenge at a new club and in Huddersfield with Nathan Brown I think the opportunity presents itself for me to play in big games.
“The Huddersfield squad is very strong and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into training with them and trying to force my way into the team.”
Nathan Brown commented “I’ve admired Danny’s game since I came to the UK and it will be fantastic to be able to work with him and integrate him into our team over the coming weeks and months. Out and out half backs with outstanding kicking games and genuine speed are becoming a rarity, so he will give us another string to our bow in the squad.”
John Kear, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Head Coach, said: “We would like to thank Danny Brough for all he has done for this club since he joined us from Castleford Tigers and wish him well in the rest of his career.
“We’re delighted to re-sign Michael Korkidas as he is an integral part of our plans to develop a successful Super League team at the Hearwell Stadium.
“Equally we’re excited at being able to work with Danny Kirmond who is a player we’ve admired for quite some time.”
Brough is a talented player but how many halfbacks do Huddersfield want or need on their books? Kevin Brown, Gregg McNally, Brough and Luke Robinson are just four I can name quickly while there is also Kyle Wood, currently with Batley on a dual contract to throw into the mix. I find this an interesting move and one that surely signals that a couple of those players are on their way out. Giants boss Nathan Brown was obviously impressed by Brough and Robinson has also spoken about the healthy competition that the latest recruit provides.
It certainly means that there is more chance that the Giants will push for honours this year - these are heady days up at the Galpharm Stadium.
Here is a copy of the official statement released on the Huddersfield Giants website:
GIANTS SIGN DANNY BROUGH
Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats can confirm that they have completed a deal which will allow scrum half Danny Brough to join the Giants.
Following protracted negotiations, the compensation package that has been agreed between the two Engage Super League clubs sees Brough join the Giants with immediate effect until the end of the 2014 Super League season.
As part of that package Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will receive an undisclosed financial settlement and they have signed prop forward Michael Korkidas on a long term loan basis and utility forward Danny Kirmond on a shorter term loan.
The Giants loaned Greek international Korkidas to the Wildcats last year and he has continued to play at Wakefield on the same basis. He is now contracted to remain at the Hearwell Stadium until the end of the 2011 season.
Kirmond, who joined Huddersfield from Featherstone Rovers in 2007, will join Wakefield on loan until the end of the 2010 season.
Danny Brough commented, “I’m glad that all the speculation has now ended and my future is settled. I would like to thank the Wakefield club and their fans for their support of me. I like to think that I have contributed to their rise up the table to the point where they are now sitting in the top part of the league on a regular basis.
“In particular I have enjoyed working with John Kear who has been great to me for a long time. I felt ready for a new challenge at a new club and in Huddersfield with Nathan Brown I think the opportunity presents itself for me to play in big games.
“The Huddersfield squad is very strong and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into training with them and trying to force my way into the team.”
Nathan Brown commented “I’ve admired Danny’s game since I came to the UK and it will be fantastic to be able to work with him and integrate him into our team over the coming weeks and months. Out and out half backs with outstanding kicking games and genuine speed are becoming a rarity, so he will give us another string to our bow in the squad.”
John Kear, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Head Coach, said: “We would like to thank Danny Brough for all he has done for this club since he joined us from Castleford Tigers and wish him well in the rest of his career.
“We’re delighted to re-sign Michael Korkidas as he is an integral part of our plans to develop a successful Super League team at the Hearwell Stadium.
“Equally we’re excited at being able to work with Danny Kirmond who is a player we’ve admired for quite some time.”
Friday, 12 February 2010
SUPER LEAGUE XV – THE REST OF FRIDAY NIGHTS ACTION
SALFORD 16 CRUSADERS 36
Brian Noble’s Crusaders won their first game of the season at the third attempt with a 7 try win at the Willows over Salford.
Vince Mellars grabbed a hat-trick while Michael Witt weighed in with a try and four goals as the City Reds were swept away in the second half.
Mellars opened the scoring after 4 minutes with Witt converting but Salford struck right back within a minute when Australian new boy Daniel Holdsworth scored and Stefan Ratchford goaled.
Back to back tries from Frankie Winterstein and Mellars established a 14-6 lead but back came Salford through Matty Smith, Ratchford again goaling.
A one sided second half saw Crusaders out-try Salford four to one. Mellars completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes before Witt crossed the whitewash four minutes later. On the hour Jamie Thackray blasted over to make it 32-12. Salford then grabbed a try five minutes from time through Karl Fitzpatrick before Gareth Raynor completed victory with the Crusaders seventh just before the end of the game.
HULL 14 HUDDERSFIELD 6
Like Wigan, Hull remain unbeaten two games into the new Super League season, but it was a close run thing against a tough Giants team that came back at their hosts in the second half.
Tries from Danny Tickle (after 7 minutes) and one time Widnes loanee Craig Hall (after 25 minutes) both goaled by Tickle gave Hull a 12-0 interval lead and although Scott Grix pulled a converted try back for the visitors a 55th minute penalty ensured the hosts stayed ahead and picked up the win.
Prop Mark O'Meley enjoyed a big debut for the home team while the Giants badly missed the guidance of star fullback Brett Hodgson.
Brian Noble’s Crusaders won their first game of the season at the third attempt with a 7 try win at the Willows over Salford.
Vince Mellars grabbed a hat-trick while Michael Witt weighed in with a try and four goals as the City Reds were swept away in the second half.
Mellars opened the scoring after 4 minutes with Witt converting but Salford struck right back within a minute when Australian new boy Daniel Holdsworth scored and Stefan Ratchford goaled.
Back to back tries from Frankie Winterstein and Mellars established a 14-6 lead but back came Salford through Matty Smith, Ratchford again goaling.
A one sided second half saw Crusaders out-try Salford four to one. Mellars completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes before Witt crossed the whitewash four minutes later. On the hour Jamie Thackray blasted over to make it 32-12. Salford then grabbed a try five minutes from time through Karl Fitzpatrick before Gareth Raynor completed victory with the Crusaders seventh just before the end of the game.
HULL 14 HUDDERSFIELD 6
Like Wigan, Hull remain unbeaten two games into the new Super League season, but it was a close run thing against a tough Giants team that came back at their hosts in the second half.
Tries from Danny Tickle (after 7 minutes) and one time Widnes loanee Craig Hall (after 25 minutes) both goaled by Tickle gave Hull a 12-0 interval lead and although Scott Grix pulled a converted try back for the visitors a 55th minute penalty ensured the hosts stayed ahead and picked up the win.
Prop Mark O'Meley enjoyed a big debut for the home team while the Giants badly missed the guidance of star fullback Brett Hodgson.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Super League 2007 saw some good games. One I reported was WARRINGTON V HUDDERSFIELD
WARRINGTON WOLVES 22 HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 34 Dave Parkinson at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Friday.
With play-off time fast approaching, the top six of the Engage Super League is still far from decided as Huddersfield backed up their impressive win over Bradford with victory in a tough encounter at Warrington described as “patient” by Giants boss Jon Sharp.
“It was an important game.” He admitted. “We spoke very much about us having to be patient and build pressure, probably be ready for a really aggressive start from Warrington, which we saw and dealt with pretty good.”
“Overall I thought defensively we were fantastic, very aggressive, had plenty of linespeed about us and our line speed was good.Offensively we didn’t have much to play with and we didn’t have great field position early on, particularly in the first half.”
“This performance was a different type from us it was more dogged and more patient. We hung in there, weathered the storm and silenced the crowd.”
“We are in the top six on merit, but we aren’t there for sure. This group of players has achieved something really special, scoring 25 points, the most a Huddersfield Giants team has ever won in Super League which makes all of us really proud.”
The game gave the perfect opportunity for Chris Leikvoll, Brent Grose and Henry Fa’afili to bring the curtain down on their Warrington league careers. A fairy tale finish certainly looked on the cards early in the game as the Wolves dominated.
Lee Briers kicked a first minute 40-20 and after peppering the try-line without success a loose hand saw the tackle count zeroed. Warrington pushed the ball left and Ben Westwood was held over the line. From the resulting play-the-ball Fa’afili spotted loose markers, dancing past both and through another tackle to ground at the corner.
Ben Harrison knocked on from the restart and the Giants worked the field position well as Ryan Hudson teased a defender out of the line before shooting through the gap to score after six minutes. Thorman converted but the Giants lead was short-lived when Hudson saw the ball go loose in a tackle and Westwood was involved with Adrian Morley before taking a reverse pass to cross out wide. Briers was no nearer with his second conversion attempt.
The game really cranked up after 20 minutes with the arrival of Eorl Crabtree to the field. Immediately the Wolves forwards targeted the England International before he got an opportunity to respond with a crunching hit on Andy Bracek. Another heavy tackle then brought Paul Wood’s game to an end and the prognosis was not looking good according to Paul Cullen after the match.
“He has a very badly bust shoulder. The shoulder came out and we fear he broke it as well.”
As Warrington tried to counter Morley lost possession and from the opportunity Hudson fed Brad Drew and he moved past Leikvoll and inside Grose with ease. Thorman converted but missed a relatively simple penalty goal minutes later following a high tackle by Morley on Stuart Jones.
Although Drew forced a drop-out, Huddersfield could not add to their tally and it was the mercurial Briers who conjured up another touchdown for Kevin Penny. The young winger just can’t stop scoring, although this effort was reviewed several times by video referee Steve Ganson before being awarded. The Giants had one final opportunity of points before half-time but Drew’s attempted drop goal barely fluttered off the damp surface.
Warrington once again started the second half well with Grose carrying the hosts deep into Huddersfield territory and when Rob Parker chased an inch perfect kick, the Giants conceded a drop-out. Parker then rampaged to the line with only desperate defence preventing a try by the former Bradford forward before Rob Jensen intercepted and ran the full length of the field. Referee Richard Silverwood again referred the decision upstairs but the decision favoured the visitors and Thorman again put six points between the teams.
“He’s scored three 90 metre tries in his last four games. Said Sharp of Jensen. “He’s been a super buy for us and we are really excited about his improvement as well. I still believe he can become a better player than he already is.”
For five mad minutes the Wolves discipline faded with both Morley and Paul Rauhihi placed on report. The latter incident on Paul Jackson saw Thorman kick his fourth goal. Just past the hour mark, Huddersfield finally edged away when Drew angled a clever kick to the corner and Jamahl Lolesi got the faintest of touches, again confirmed by the video referee following a lengthy stoppage.
After 67 minutes, Warrington gave themselves a chance with a well worked try at the corner. Following good play from Jon Clarke and Grose, Westwood bulldozed through. Just when a comeback looked on the cards, the deck was toppled. Briers intended pass for Martin Gleeson went straight to Kevin Brown allowing the former Wigan stand-off a clear run to the line from forty-five metres. Thorman converted and although Westwood added a carbon copy hat-trick and goaled superbly, the Huddersfield skipper had the final word with his seventh goal after Lolesi was fouled in stoppage time.
“I think we got what we deserved.” Paul Cullen said. “I think our discipline simply wasn’t good enough. I really do appreciate the efforts of the players, I think we scored five very good tries, lot of width, lot of movement but in between, the discipline wasn’t good enough.
“Everytime we had good field position we gave a penalty away. We surrendered the battle of field position. I’m concerned with every penalty that we’ve given away. We’ve not been composed, we’ve not been disciplined enough and have squandered two points.”
“If we spend too much time looking at tables and numbers we may possibly take our eyes off what needs to be done.”
GAMEBREAKER: The final Huddersfield try put enough daylight between the teams to ensure even Westwood’s hat-trick heroics came to nought.
GAMESTAR: Brad Drew was in fine form and a major inspiration to the entire Giants effort.
TOP TACKLE: Eorl Crabtree’s thunderous effort on Andrew Bracek.
MATCH FACTS:
WOLVES
5 Brent Grose
2 Henry Fa’afili
3 Martin Gleeson
12 Ben Westwood
26 Kevin Penny
9 Jon Clarke
7 Lee Briers
16 Paul Wood
14 Mark Gleeson
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
21 Andrew Bracek
22 Ben Harrison
SUBS (all used)
8 Chris Leikvoll
19 Steve Pickersgill
15 Rob Parker
29 Lee Mitchell
GIANTS
6 Chris Thorman
1 Paul Reilly
3 Jamahl Lolesi
11 Chris Nero
24 Rod Jensen
4 Kevin Brown
9 Brad Drew
18 Darrell Griffin
19 Ryan Hudson
10 John Skandalis
14 Stuart Jones
12 Andy Raleigh
13 Stephen Wild
SUBS
7 Robbie Paul
8 Eorl Crabtree
15 Paul Jackson
27 Michael Lawrence (Not Used)
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men-of-the-Match:
Wolves: Ben Westwood
Giants: Brad Drew
Penalties: 6-9
GLDO forced: 1-1
Half-time: 12-12
Referee: Richard Silverwood
Attendance: 8,843
Story of the Game
Mins Score
3 Henry Fa’afili try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/1) 4-0 Warrington
6 Ryan Hudson try
Chris Thorman conversion (1/1) 4-6 Huddersfield
10 Ben Westwood try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/2) 8-6 Warrington
23 Paul Wood game ending shoulder injury
26 Brad Drew try
Chris Thorman conversion (2/2) 8-12 Huddersfield
27 Chris Thorman missed penalty (2/3)
38 Kevin Penny try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/3) 12-12 Warrington
HALFTIME
47 Rod Jensen try
Chris Thorman conversion (3/4) 12-18 Huddersfield
54 Chris Morley on report (suspected high tackle)
58 Paul Rauhihi on report (suspected dangerous throw)
58 Chris Thorman penalty (4/5) 12-20 Huddersfield
61 Jamahl Lolesi try
Chris Thorman conversion (5/6) 12-26 Huddersfield
67 Ben Westwood try
Ben Westwood missed conversion (0/1) 16-26 Warrington
70 Kevin Brown try
Chris Thorman conversion (6/7) 16-32 Huddersfield
71 Ben Westwood try (his hat-trick)
Ben Westwood conversion (1/2) 22-32 Warrington
80 Chris Thorman penalty (7/8) 22-34 Huddersfield
FULL TIME
With play-off time fast approaching, the top six of the Engage Super League is still far from decided as Huddersfield backed up their impressive win over Bradford with victory in a tough encounter at Warrington described as “patient” by Giants boss Jon Sharp.
“It was an important game.” He admitted. “We spoke very much about us having to be patient and build pressure, probably be ready for a really aggressive start from Warrington, which we saw and dealt with pretty good.”
“Overall I thought defensively we were fantastic, very aggressive, had plenty of linespeed about us and our line speed was good.Offensively we didn’t have much to play with and we didn’t have great field position early on, particularly in the first half.”
“This performance was a different type from us it was more dogged and more patient. We hung in there, weathered the storm and silenced the crowd.”
“We are in the top six on merit, but we aren’t there for sure. This group of players has achieved something really special, scoring 25 points, the most a Huddersfield Giants team has ever won in Super League which makes all of us really proud.”
The game gave the perfect opportunity for Chris Leikvoll, Brent Grose and Henry Fa’afili to bring the curtain down on their Warrington league careers. A fairy tale finish certainly looked on the cards early in the game as the Wolves dominated.
Lee Briers kicked a first minute 40-20 and after peppering the try-line without success a loose hand saw the tackle count zeroed. Warrington pushed the ball left and Ben Westwood was held over the line. From the resulting play-the-ball Fa’afili spotted loose markers, dancing past both and through another tackle to ground at the corner.
Ben Harrison knocked on from the restart and the Giants worked the field position well as Ryan Hudson teased a defender out of the line before shooting through the gap to score after six minutes. Thorman converted but the Giants lead was short-lived when Hudson saw the ball go loose in a tackle and Westwood was involved with Adrian Morley before taking a reverse pass to cross out wide. Briers was no nearer with his second conversion attempt.
The game really cranked up after 20 minutes with the arrival of Eorl Crabtree to the field. Immediately the Wolves forwards targeted the England International before he got an opportunity to respond with a crunching hit on Andy Bracek. Another heavy tackle then brought Paul Wood’s game to an end and the prognosis was not looking good according to Paul Cullen after the match.
“He has a very badly bust shoulder. The shoulder came out and we fear he broke it as well.”
As Warrington tried to counter Morley lost possession and from the opportunity Hudson fed Brad Drew and he moved past Leikvoll and inside Grose with ease. Thorman converted but missed a relatively simple penalty goal minutes later following a high tackle by Morley on Stuart Jones.
Although Drew forced a drop-out, Huddersfield could not add to their tally and it was the mercurial Briers who conjured up another touchdown for Kevin Penny. The young winger just can’t stop scoring, although this effort was reviewed several times by video referee Steve Ganson before being awarded. The Giants had one final opportunity of points before half-time but Drew’s attempted drop goal barely fluttered off the damp surface.
Warrington once again started the second half well with Grose carrying the hosts deep into Huddersfield territory and when Rob Parker chased an inch perfect kick, the Giants conceded a drop-out. Parker then rampaged to the line with only desperate defence preventing a try by the former Bradford forward before Rob Jensen intercepted and ran the full length of the field. Referee Richard Silverwood again referred the decision upstairs but the decision favoured the visitors and Thorman again put six points between the teams.
“He’s scored three 90 metre tries in his last four games. Said Sharp of Jensen. “He’s been a super buy for us and we are really excited about his improvement as well. I still believe he can become a better player than he already is.”
For five mad minutes the Wolves discipline faded with both Morley and Paul Rauhihi placed on report. The latter incident on Paul Jackson saw Thorman kick his fourth goal. Just past the hour mark, Huddersfield finally edged away when Drew angled a clever kick to the corner and Jamahl Lolesi got the faintest of touches, again confirmed by the video referee following a lengthy stoppage.
After 67 minutes, Warrington gave themselves a chance with a well worked try at the corner. Following good play from Jon Clarke and Grose, Westwood bulldozed through. Just when a comeback looked on the cards, the deck was toppled. Briers intended pass for Martin Gleeson went straight to Kevin Brown allowing the former Wigan stand-off a clear run to the line from forty-five metres. Thorman converted and although Westwood added a carbon copy hat-trick and goaled superbly, the Huddersfield skipper had the final word with his seventh goal after Lolesi was fouled in stoppage time.
“I think we got what we deserved.” Paul Cullen said. “I think our discipline simply wasn’t good enough. I really do appreciate the efforts of the players, I think we scored five very good tries, lot of width, lot of movement but in between, the discipline wasn’t good enough.
“Everytime we had good field position we gave a penalty away. We surrendered the battle of field position. I’m concerned with every penalty that we’ve given away. We’ve not been composed, we’ve not been disciplined enough and have squandered two points.”
“If we spend too much time looking at tables and numbers we may possibly take our eyes off what needs to be done.”
GAMEBREAKER: The final Huddersfield try put enough daylight between the teams to ensure even Westwood’s hat-trick heroics came to nought.
GAMESTAR: Brad Drew was in fine form and a major inspiration to the entire Giants effort.
TOP TACKLE: Eorl Crabtree’s thunderous effort on Andrew Bracek.
MATCH FACTS:
WOLVES
5 Brent Grose
2 Henry Fa’afili
3 Martin Gleeson
12 Ben Westwood
26 Kevin Penny
9 Jon Clarke
7 Lee Briers
16 Paul Wood
14 Mark Gleeson
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
21 Andrew Bracek
22 Ben Harrison
SUBS (all used)
8 Chris Leikvoll
19 Steve Pickersgill
15 Rob Parker
29 Lee Mitchell
GIANTS
6 Chris Thorman
1 Paul Reilly
3 Jamahl Lolesi
11 Chris Nero
24 Rod Jensen
4 Kevin Brown
9 Brad Drew
18 Darrell Griffin
19 Ryan Hudson
10 John Skandalis
14 Stuart Jones
12 Andy Raleigh
13 Stephen Wild
SUBS
7 Robbie Paul
8 Eorl Crabtree
15 Paul Jackson
27 Michael Lawrence (Not Used)
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men-of-the-Match:
Wolves: Ben Westwood
Giants: Brad Drew
Penalties: 6-9
GLDO forced: 1-1
Half-time: 12-12
Referee: Richard Silverwood
Attendance: 8,843
Story of the Game
Mins Score
3 Henry Fa’afili try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/1) 4-0 Warrington
6 Ryan Hudson try
Chris Thorman conversion (1/1) 4-6 Huddersfield
10 Ben Westwood try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/2) 8-6 Warrington
23 Paul Wood game ending shoulder injury
26 Brad Drew try
Chris Thorman conversion (2/2) 8-12 Huddersfield
27 Chris Thorman missed penalty (2/3)
38 Kevin Penny try
Lee Briers missed conversion (0/3) 12-12 Warrington
HALFTIME
47 Rod Jensen try
Chris Thorman conversion (3/4) 12-18 Huddersfield
54 Chris Morley on report (suspected high tackle)
58 Paul Rauhihi on report (suspected dangerous throw)
58 Chris Thorman penalty (4/5) 12-20 Huddersfield
61 Jamahl Lolesi try
Chris Thorman conversion (5/6) 12-26 Huddersfield
67 Ben Westwood try
Ben Westwood missed conversion (0/1) 16-26 Warrington
70 Kevin Brown try
Chris Thorman conversion (6/7) 16-32 Huddersfield
71 Ben Westwood try (his hat-trick)
Ben Westwood conversion (1/2) 22-32 Warrington
80 Chris Thorman penalty (7/8) 22-34 Huddersfield
FULL TIME
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