RHINOS .............. 12 Giants get back to their top league form

secure a thoroughly-deserved Super League triumph at secondplaced Leeds Rhinos.

It was Huddersfield’s first win in their last 10 League and Cup encounters, and with this performance it was hard to understand why their recent record has been so wretched.

The Giants more than held their own during a heartening opening 40 minutes, which will have impressed many inside the Headingley stadium, including a very interested spectator in England manager Gareth Southgate.

The performance was certainly in stark contrast to five days earlier and their sorry home Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Championship strugglers Swinton Lions.

On this occasion, Huddersfield did look like a genuine Super League side.

With several senior players returning after sitting out the weekend horror show, the Giants were immediately on the front foot, with a first-minute Danny Brough 40-20 setting the tone.

And it was definitely against the run of play when Matt Parcell darted over under the posts for Kallum Watkins to add the extras in the 13th minute.

But the visitors’ response couldn’t have been more positive.

Within five minutes the scores were level as Jake Mamo collected Alex Mellor’s kick-through to touch down for a try converted by Brough.

It was then just a further five minutes before the Giants were ahead for the first time.

A Kruise Leeming 40-20 put his side on the front foot and from the resulting set the hooker backed up his successful kick by plunging over under the posts for a second converted score.