Giants stand tall at summit

Huddersfield replaced Harlequins at the top of the engage Super League after an 18-10 victory at the Twickenham Stoop.

The Londoners came into the game with the league's only 100 per cent record after three straight wins but it was the Giants who came out on top in a bruising contest.

In fact Quins did well to keep the scoreline so close, since Huddersfield dominated for long periods and could comfortably have doubled their three first-half tries.

Leroy Cudjoe had two scores ruled out by the video referee inside a minute in the opening exchanges.

First the Giants winger was just short when he reached out to place the ball on the line, then two tackles later he did touch down Kevin Brown's high bomb only for the try to be disallowed for a knock-on.

Quins then took the lead after 13 minutes, taking advantage of the game's first penalty for Jon Molloy's interference at a play-the-ball, with Rob Purdham's superb pass out of the tackle giving Karl Pryce a simple touchdown in the corner two minutes into the winger's home debut.

Huddersfield began to take charge but were fortunate to turn dominance into points after Shaun Lunt's short pass put Luke O'Donnell over, since Cudjoe had knocked on in the build-up.

But Danny Brough knocked over the conversion and the Giants led 6-4.

Just past the half-hour Kevin Brown's long, looping pass found Jermaine McGillvary racing into the corner and Brough added the extras from the touchline.

Brown thought he had scored himself on the stroke of half-time after he threw the dummy and strolled in, only for the video ref to correctly spot an obstruction.

Struggling

But by this time Quins were struggling to keep up with Huddersfield's physical approach and even after a break for half-time, the Giants continued to turn the screw.

They got their reward when David Fa'alogo shrugged off two tacklers and had Graham Horne in support to score, with Brough again converting.

Quins looked set to endure a drubbing at that stage but they continued to defend resolutely, showing the tenacity that has served them so well in the early stages of the season.

They even got a glimmer of hope with seven minutes left when Luke Dorn's long pass under pressure put Chris Melling in at the corner and Purdham added the extras.

But Huddersfield played out the closing stages with professional calm to claim the points and again underline why they are regarded as genuine Grand Final contenders.