Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp reserved special praise for teenage centre Michael Lawrence after the 50-16 demolition of Hull KR.
Teenager receives plaudits after two-try haul
Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp reserved special praise for teenage centre Michael Lawrence after his performance in the 50-16 demolition of Hull KR.
The 18-year-old scored twice in the nine-try romp as the Giants gained revenge for their Challenge Cup defeat to Rovers a week ago.
"I don't want to put any pressure on the kid," he said. "But we've known since he was 15 that he had fantastic prodigious talent and I'm seeing him improve from one week to the next.
"I thought he was great against Matt King two weeks ago and he defended well against (Jake) Webster last week and did the same again.
"He's going to be a fantastic player if the gods shine on him and he remains injury free. He's got a fantastic attitude and is very professional.
"He's clever as well and has got football intellect. He absorbs information very well and you don't need to repeat things to him."
Indicators
Sharp added that he had been expecting a performance of this nature from his side, who had been going through a rough patch.
"I thought we were very good," he said. "I believe this performance had been coming all year.
"We have been so close on several occasions. We've been beaten on four occasions by less than four points and have also drawn a match.
"So the indicators were there. I know we're second from bottom but we are on a positive points difference, which shows how close we have been.
"The guys that came in were fantastic. Danny Kirmond was absolutely brilliant, I'm really excited about him and there was also (Leroy) Cudjoe and Lawrence.
"It's interesting that the team contained 14 English players and just three overseas players. That must be some sort of record."
Rovers head coach Justin Morgan apologised to the 2,500 fans who made the journey across Yorkshire to witness a thrashing.
"It was extremely difficult to watch," said. "We lacked effort and it was hard to stomach. I was embarrassed.
"I'd like to apologise to the fans who made the effort to make the trip here."
