HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 24 YORK KNIGHTS 36
JOHN DAVIDSON, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Saturday

YORK came out on top in a key battle to avoid the wooden spoon, opening Magic Weekend with a crucial win over last-placed Huddersfield.

Their second victory in a row takes them to ten points, six above struggling Huddersfield on the ladder with ten games left in the regular season.

It was the Giants’ tenth loss in a row, with new head coach Jim Lenihan still searching for his maiden win.

And it came largely thanks to an impressive display from halfback Cody Hunter, who bagged two tries and kicked a goal to ensure the Knights were celebrating at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

York should have scored in the tenth minute when Hunter put Oli Field through a hole. However, Field tried to force a pass to his support and lost the ball forward.

It almost proved costly as in the next set York spilled the ball at the back from a Huddersfield bomb and Tanguy Zenon pounced to score in the corner. But Zenon was offside before the kick and the video referee ruled no try.

The Knights made use of the let-off, Jon Benninson finding space on the right and beating three defenders for a brilliant try.

Eight minutes later Huddersfield grabbed the lead when Chris Patolo barged over off a dubious pass from Oliver Russell. 

George Flanagan’s kick put the Giants 6-4 ahead but the lead didn’t last long, with Hunter taking advantage of some poor defence to burrow over and converting his own try.

The Knights should have had a third try soon after, when Nikau Williams surged over, but a Huddersfield hand managed to knock the ball loose.

Right before half-time David Nofoaluma crossed untouched after a cut-out pass to his wing. Hunter’s kick was wide, but the Knights had a vital 14-6 buffer.

Huddersfield started strong in the second half with Zane Dunford crossing after just four minutes. Flanagan made no mistake with his conversion, cutting the lead to just twelve points.

It didn’t long for York to respond though, with Williams barging over out on the edge. Bennison was handed the kicking team and he nailed his shot.

From the kick-off there was a bad concussion with Patolo knocked out trying to make a tackle.

The Knights went further ahead after a break down the middle, finished off after a quick play-the-ball when substitute Denive Balmforth crashed through. Bennison’s conversion made it 26-12.

Huddersfield were on the back foot and the game was as good as done when Hunter forced his way over for his second of the afternoon.

Bennison added two more points and it got worse for the Giants as they hacked the kick-off out on the full.

While Nofoaluma’s score soon after was ruled out for an obstruction, Bennison later went on to snatch his second.

In the final seven minutes came consolation tries for both Russell and Flanagan.

GAMESTAR: Cody Hunter ran the show with an outstanding performance in the halves.

GAMEBREAKER: Nikau Williams’ early second-half effort put York in a crucial position.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Cody Hunter refused to be stopped in his bullocking first-half four-pointer.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Cody Hunter (York)
2 pts David Nofoaluma (York)
1 pt Paul Vaughan (York)

MATCHFACTS

GIANTS
21 George Flanagan
2 Adam Swift
29 Tanguy Zenon
34 Connor Wrench
4 Taane Milne
6 Tui Lolohea
32 Oliver Russell
14 Fenton Rogers
9 Zac Woolford
23 Chris Patolo
11 Asher O’Donnell
43 Zane Dunford
20 Mathieu Cozza
Subs (all used)
8 Tristan Powell
13 Harry Rushton
17 Joe Greenwood
40 Cole Geyer
18th man (not used)
15 Matty English
Also in 21-man squad
1 Niall Evalds
3 Jacob Gagai
18 Kieran Rush

Tries: Patolo (20), Dunford (44), Russell (73), Flanagan (78)
Goals: Flanagan 4/4

KNIGHTS
1 Toa Mata’afa
23 Jon Bennison
4 Scott Galeano
26 Nikau Williams
46 David Nofoaluma
37 Cody Hunter
9 Paul McShane
8 Jack Martin
48 Tom Inman
15 Xavier Va’a
20 Oli Field
21 Kieran Buchanan
13 Jordan Thompson
Subs (all used)
6 Ata Hingano
10 Paul Vaughan
14 Denive Balmforth
17 Kieran Hudson
18th man (not used)
27 Matty Foster
Also in 21-man squad
7 Liam Harris
16 Justin Sangaré
24 Will Dagger

Tries: Bennison (12, 68), Hunter (24, 60), Nofoaluma (37), Williams (50), Balmforth (56)
Goals: Hunter 1/3, Bennison 3/4

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 6-4, 6-10, 6-14; 12-14, 12-20, 12-26, 12-32, 12-36, 18-36, 24-36

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Man of the Match
Giants: George Flanagan; Knights: Cody Hunter

Penalty count: 2-5
Half-time: 6-14
Referee: Tara Jones