HUNSLET coach Kyle Trout has urged his players to put the pain of their Challenge Cup defeat by Huddersfield to good use as they continue to bed in for the Championship season.
The Giants were third-round winners at the South Leeds Stadium for the second year in succession, this time by 52-6 after a 34-6 victory in 2025, when Hunslet went on to finish bottom of the old-style second tier.
Trout, who stepped up from assistant to take the reins after Dean Muir departed at the end of June, has reshaped the squad, and is also dealing with a number of early injuries, including to experienced forward Kevin Larroyer, who has had surgery on a ruptured bicep tendon.
Hunslet trailed 30-0 at the turn against Huddersfield, and Trout noted: “We were definitely better in the second half.
“In the first, we went away from what we wanted to do, and I made them aware of that at half-time.
“After that, there were moments we showed we can compete against a full-time team and cause them problems, force some errors and get some repeat sets.
“We helped Huddersfield in the first half through errors and giving away penalties, which added to our workload.
“Sometimes when had sets in their half, we kicked too early in tackle count. I am happy for the lads to try to express themselves, but you have to have an understanding of where you are at in the game.”
Hunslet visit Salford on Sunday, and Trout pointed out: “We have to finish our sets on our terms. So far they have been a bit lacklustre, almost like a dice roll.
“But it was only the third time on field together. We’ve had quite a turnaround, we’ve got some injuries and so some disruption, and we are still learning.
“There have been glimpses of what we are trying to do. Now we have to make those spells last longer and we will start moving forward.”