BLAK’ MAGIC Austin proves
A Giant killer
SIMON WOOLFORD watched in dismay as his Giants copped a one-point sucker punch for the second match in a row.
In their first game back following lockdown, they blew a huge lead before losing in extra time to a Leeds drop-goal.
And last night their heartache was delivered three minutes before the end of normal time courtesy of a Blake Austin winning effort.
It was just as gutting for a Huddersfield side that had pulled themselves level minutes earlier with a converted try from youngster Oliver Russell.
Woolford said: “To lose by one point is disappointing. But we rolled our sleeves up and I cannot ask for much more from them.”
Woolford’s men can also feel hugely aggrieved at a huge early refereeing decision that went against them, plus some crippling injury setbacks.
Wolves forward Ben Murdoch-Masila was very lucky to get sin-binned – rather than sent off – for a fourth-minute tackle on Matty English.
The game was held up for 10 minutes for English to be stretchered off and Murdoch-Masila looks certain to get suspended by the disciplinary panel.
But that is little consolation to Huddersfield who would surely have won against 12 men, judging by this display against 13.
Woolford admitted he expected Murdoch-Masila to see red, and said: “I do not think they get much worse.
“I know it wasn’t intentional but it was a reckless tackle and we lost a guy for the rest of the match.”
Opposite number Steve Price, however, jumped to the defence of his forward. He said: “I did not see too much wrong with the tackle.
“Matty English is not one of the tallest and he was falling into the tackle. There was no intent.”
Austin was also sin-binned in the first half for tripping, although Wolves did score through Ben Currie while he was off the field.
That try cancelled out an early Huddersfield effort by Ta’ai and the sides went in level at 8-8 at the break.
Gareth Widdop put Wolves back in control with a try but Jermaine McGillvary crossed to leave the game back in the balance. Tom Lineham and Russell then traded touchdowns before Austin struck with his late winner.