Huddersfield Giants 10-18 St Helens

Lee Gilmour opened the scoring for Saints after seven scoreless minutes, slicing through the Giants defence to open up a 4-0 lead for the visitors, before Chris Thorman cut the gap with a penalty three minutes later.

But St Helens took control of the game when Sean Long sent Leon Pryce through a gap in Huddersfield’s defensive line to extend their advantage; and the scrum-half then floated a long ball out for Ade Gardner to score at the corner.

The Giants did not give up the struggle however, and Ade’s brother Mat took advantage of a pass from Kevin Brown to score his own try at the corner, Thorman adding the conversion and a penalty to make the half-time score 14-10.

Referee Ashley Klein made several dubious-looking decisions, including harsh rulings on the obstruction rule, which stifled both sides.

St Helens furthered their lead after the interval with Lee Gilmour – now playing on with a broken nose – grabbing his second to make the score 18-14.

Jon Wilkin was sent for ten minutes in the bin after a late hit on Thorman that left the Giants stand-off dazed and having to be taken from the field.

Huddersfield nearly took advantage of their numerical advantage when Erol Crabtree looked to have touched down, but the video referee Steve Ganson ruled otherwise; Ryan Hudson also went close but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Pryce.

The Saints had to hold firm in defence in the closing moments, but were able to keep the Giants at bay and secure the first two points of the season.