Giants earn vital victory at Headingley

Huddersfield Giants consolidated their position in the top eight with a vital 18-25 victory against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley tonight.

Leeds welcomed back Liam Sutcliffe after injury, but Carl Ablett (calf) and Jimmy Keinhorst (hamstring) were both sidelined after picking up injuries in the Challenge Cup win over Leigh.

The Giants were without Jake Mamo (knee), while Danny Brough was starting a three-match ban, meaning that Academy star Oliver Russell came into the squad and played a starring role, landing four goals and a crucial late field goal.

In a game that was tightly contested throughout the Giants scored four tries to three, to give new coach Simon Woolford his first victory with his new charges.

The Rhinos suffered more injury agony, with young prop forward Mikolaj Oledzki suffering a serious head injury that delayed the game for nine minutes, while Jordan Lilley and Richie Myler also suffered injuries.

RhinosTries: Parcell, Myler, Smith  Goals: Lilley 3

GiantsTries: Leeming, Murphy, Mellor, O’Brien  Goals: Russell 4; Field Goal: Russell

A full report and photos from today’s game will feature in Monday’s edition of League Express.