Crusaders dismantle Giants

Huddersfield: shocking defeat

Basement side Crusaders enjoyed a remarkable six-try romp as they upset Super League table-toppers Huddersfield 32-6 in Wales.

The Giants arrived in Wrexham on the back of victories over Warrington and Leeds and were strong favourites to inflict another heavy defeat on Crusaders, who lost 64-6 last time out.

But it was the home team who made hay in the sun after Nathan Brown's Giants were delayed by the heavy Easter Holiday traffic.

They got off to the perfect start when second-rower Jason Chan shrugged off two tacklers to barge his way over on four minutes.

Even when Crusaders half-back Michael Witt was sent to the sin-bin the Giants were unable to find their composure, Rhys Hanbury crossing for the second try on 16 minutes.

Full-back Clinton Schifcofske ghosted through the Giants defence in the 30th minute but still there was no fightback from the visitors, who turned the ball over on several occasions and found the Crusaders defence rock solid when they didn't.

Frustrations

And their frustrations were compounded just before the interval when Hep Cahill went over on the left wing after some good work in the 25, leaving the Giants 20-0 behind at the break.

They responded at once to their situation as a kick over the Crusaders' goal line saw the ball played backwards, where Brough was waiting to pounce.

Brough nearly got another when he just failed to latch onto another grubber kick as it went over the dead-ball line.

But the Crusaders countered and nearly got their fifth try when Hanbury charged down a kick in the Yorkshiremen's half only to see the ball run away from him with the line at his mercy.

They almost scored again from a breakaway along the right wing, only for Huddersfield's desperate defending near their goal-line to deny home centre Tony Martin.

Finally, the Welshmen found the line when centre Vince Mellars put wing Jordan Tansey over and, with Huddersfield humbled, they extended the margin further as wing Stuart Reardon crossed with seven minutes to go.

Despite having Richard Moore sent to the sin-bin towards the end, it made no difference to the outcome as Crusaders clinched a famous win.