Brough secures Giants win

Brough: Instrumental in securing the Giants a quarter-final Challenge Cup spot

Scrum-half Danny Brough was in inspired form to help Huddersfield Giants secure a quarter-final spot in the Challenge Cup.

The influential 28-year-old created three tries and kicked three goals in a 30-16 win over the Catalan Dragons.

Jermaine McGillvary gave the hosts an early lead with just five minutes gone after a sweeping move, but Brough struggled to convert in blustery conditions and missed a total of three first-half attempts.

He had better luck converting from close range early in the second-half following a surging run from deep to offer Kevin Brown the chance for the skipper to score the first of his two tries.

The wind caused havoc for both sides but also played a vital part in helping the Dragons back into the game.

Warning shot

They fired a warning shot after ten minutes when Michael Lawrence misjudged a Scott Dureau boot into the air on the try-line.

Damien Blanch pounced on the error but Lawrence atoned for his mistake and denied what should have been a definite try for the Catalans.

It was a tale of errors when a Dragons high-kick was poorly dealt with by Larne Patrick, who conceded a scrum-down.

Ian Henderson wriggled free from the resulting play to touch over in the 21st minute.

The visitors, who beat Huddersfield in the Super League with a closely contested 13-12 victory thanks to a late drop-goal, were soon in front.

Carved open

Jean Philippe-Baile carved open the Giants defence with a well-timed one-two exchange with Blanch and powered over the line.

A converted try from Jamal Fakir then brought the Dragons to within two points of the hosts midway through the second-half.

But Huddersfield pounced on an error-strewn second-half from the Dragons to score two late converted tries, firstly by Darrell Griffin and then a fine second from Brown to seal the win and a quarter-final spot.