York Knights 22-24 Huddersfield Giants: Match Report

York Knights lost a tight game against Huddersfield Giants, 24-22 at the LNER Community Stadium to Huddersfield Giants by 24-22 in Betfred Super League.

With the game level until early in the second half, Huddersfield went on to open up a 14 point lead, with the Knights left rueing some missed chances.

However, York launched a late comeback, including a try for Jordan Thompson on his 400th career appearance and one from Tom Inman.

That led to a tense final few minutes, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Giants ending a losing run that stretched back to April.

A tight first half saw York enjoy the better of the opening stages, and they almost opened the scoring early in the game. Cody Hunter split the line 30 metres out, and Tom Inman was there in support to cross, only for the video referee to rule no try a review of the grounding.

The first try did come shortly afterwards, after back to back sets on the Huddersfield line. On the last, Paul McShane launched a high kick into the in-goal area and David Nofoaluma won the race to get a hand to it to touch down. Bennison added the goal.

Against the run of play in the opening stages, Mathieu Cozza thought he’d got Huddersfield’s opening points with his first touch, only for him to lose the ball in the tackle as he crossed the line.

The Knights had more chances to score but couldn’t finish them off, and it was Huddersfield who took their next opportunity when Lewis Jagger took a pass out wide to go in at the corner. George Flannagan converted to level the scores.

Huddersfield were more into the game by now and the pressure almost led to Flanagan putting the Giants ahead, only for another no try ruling from the video referee.

More pressure came when a high Huddersfield kick on the last caught the wind and wasn’t dealt with. However Sam Hewitt couldn’t take the pass with the line wide open, and the score remained level at half time.

The video referee got involved again after the break, when Tui Lolohea followed his own kick and beat the York defence to get a hand to the ball in goal. This time, the try was awarded and Flanagan's flawless afternoon with the boot continued.

That lead soon reduced when Scott Galeano sped through after taking the pass from Mata’afa. Bennison couldn’t add the goal from the touchline against the wind.

It was turning into an end to end affair, and the Giants hit back moments later, with Connor Wrench showing some good speed to beat the attempted tackle for a converted try.

With the Giants’ confidence increasing, and with the wind now in their favour, York were being made to work harder for territory.

The threats from the Knights were starting to build again, but they weren’t able to break the defence near the line.

However, when Zac Woolford scored with 10 minutes to go, Huddersfield had a 14 point lead, and the Knights' task got bigger.

York did hit back though when Jordan Thompson galloped through for a converted try on his 400th career appearance, reducing the gap with seven minutes remaining. However, York still needed to score twice.

They managed it once, with Tom Inman scooting through for a converted try and with the gap now just two points, it was a tense final few moments.

With 90 seconds left, there was a chance to release Nofoaluma down the wing, but the pass went to ground, and with it the chance to pick up another two league points.

York: Mata’afa, Bennison, Galeano, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, McShane, Thompson, Inman, Va’a, Wood, Field, Hingano

Subs: (all used) Balmforth, Vaughan, Martin, Foster

18th Player: Dagger

Tries: Nofoaluma (10), Galeano (50), Thompson (73), Inman (76)

Goals: Bennison (3/4)

Huddersfield: Evalds, Flanangan, Wrench, Gagai, Jagger, Lolohea, Rush, Patolo, Woolford, Rogers, Hewitt, Dunford, Rushton

Subs: (all used) King, Greenwood, Cozza, Geyer

18th Player: English

Tries: Jagger (26), Lolohea (47), Wrench (55), Woolford (70)

Goals: Flanagan (4/4)

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