Huddersfield Giants registered a convincing 14-44 victory today at Belle Vue against the hosts, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, as they moved up to fourth place in the Super League table, while Wakefield have now slumped to the bottom of the league after their bright start to the season.
The game started sensationally, with Giants fullback Scott Grix shooting in for a hat-trick of tries in the first nine minutes, for what is almost certainly the fastest hat-trick in the history of Super League. Giants skipper Danny Brough converted all three for the Giants to take an early 18-0 lead.
But Wakefield fought their way back into the game, and by the interval they had scored tries by Dean Collis and Danny Kirmond, neither of which could Craig Hall convert.
But when Jordan Crowther was the next to score after 48 minutes, with Hall this time adding the goal, the Wakefield fans had visions of another memorable come from behind.
It wasn’t to be, however, and the Giants dominated the rest of the game, adding further tries from Brett Ferres, Brough, Leroy Cudjoe and Ukama Ta’ai, with Brough adding three more goals, and Jamie Ellis adding a penalty and converting the last try.
In the 63rd minute of the game both sets of supporters applauded for a full minute in memory of former Wakefield player Leon Walker, who had died playing for the Wakefield reserve side six years earlier to the day. It was a deeply moving moment, although Wakefield were unable to pull the Giants back in the latter stages of the game.
A full report and photos from this game will feature in the new edition of Rugby League Express, which will be in the shops on Monday, or can be bought online from around 10.00pm tonight.
