"We had some fight in us": Huddersfield Giants' Luke Robinson after narrow Leigh defeat
Leopards led 28-6 with 15 minutes remaining - before Giants mounted a late comeback
Coach Luke Robinson says he sees some positives after opponents Leigh held on for a 28-24 win at a much-improved Huddersfield last night.
The Leopards, who bounced back from successive defeats to leapfrog Leeds into third place, deservedly led 28-6 with 15 minutes remaining before the Giants stormed back with three late scores to set up a nerve-jangling finish.
Huddersfield made a promising start after soaking up early pressure - full-back George Flanagan was unflappable under several high kicks - and briefly threatened Salford's try line, only to fall behind in the 17th minute.
Leigh's loose forward Isaac Liu darted into a gap on to hooker Edwin Ipape's short pass and went in under the posts for a converted score to put the visitors 6-0 up.
The Leopards doubled their lead eight minutes later through Ben McNamara's fine try, which he also converted.
Leigh wing Keanan Brand burst clear down the right and although he was hauled down by Flanagan, McNamara was up in support to take the offload and scoot over.
Giants scrum-half Adam Clune then lifted the home crowd with a break from his own half and although the supporting Flanagan was tackled, his sizzling solo effort soon after dragged the Giants back into the match.
Huddersfield threw the ball wide just inside Leigh's half and although Flanagan still had plenty to do after collecting Clune's pass, he dummied inside and then stepped around Leigh full-back David Armstrong to go over, touching down under the posts.
The Giants trailed 12-6 at the break, but Leigh came charging out of the blocks at the start of the second to soon regain their 12-point advantage.
A quick set from Leigh caught the home side napping and quick hands sent Armstrong darting through a gap for their third try, brilliantly converted from out wide by McNamara.
Another scintillating break set up Leigh's fourth. This time Lachlan Lam scampered 70 metres from Darnell McIntosh's offload and after being held up, he dived in at the corner from the next set.
Leigh sensed the game was there for the taking and increased their lead with a fifth score after second row Frankie Halton smashed through a tackle.
McNamara added the extras and Leigh, after shifting through the gears, cruised into a 28-6 lead.
Giants refused to bow though and a brilliant finish in the corner from wing Adam Swift, converted from the touchline by Flanagan, gave home fans hope of a grandstand finish.
Wing Sam Halsall's length-of-the field effort and Leroy Cudjoe's close-range finish after a spilled high kick - both converted - closed the gap to 28-24, but Leigh held on for a nail-biting victory.
Huddersfield coach Luke Robinson was happier than he had been after 65 minutes and although disappointed with another defeat - his side's 12th of the season - their stirring late finish left him with positives.
Robinson said: "One thing I did see, and hopefully everyone else saw it, was we had some fight in us.
"It would have been very easy at 28-6 down to throw the towel in and there was some real fight in us to stay in the game.
"We were way more of an attacking threat with (half-backs) Tui (Lolohea) and Cluney (Adam Clune) playing together and George Flanagan was really good at full-back."
Robinson revealed Tongan stand-off Lolohea only just made kick-off after being stuck in a traffic jam on the M62.
Young Giants forward Jack Billington drove to junction 23 on the motorway and swapped cars with Lolohea after the latter had left his in stationary traffic and scrambled up the banking.
Robinson added: "Tui said that he was at Junction 23 and could see the A road above him. Jack got to the A road and got in his car and Tui drove Jack's car here.
""Jack is still sat there in Tui's car on the M62! We owe him a few beers."