Broad not out of our Test plans says Root ahead of last warm-up
As the sides came out for the second half, the elements began to take over with the wind and the rain causing havoc.
McIntosh’s knock-on was soon followed by a McCrone knock-on by Wolfpack, thanks largely to the weather conditions in West Yorkshire.
As the rain and wind continued to swirl, Giants still rarely threatened the Toronto try line with Sam Wood forcing a dropout the only talking point from the first 15 minutes of the second period.
A poor fifth-tackle play by Toronto allowed Giants a full set from inside the Wolfpack half and their most promising opening so far.
A kick from Tom Holmes forced a knockon and, once again, Giants had a guilt-edged opportunity to open their account.
But, true to form in the tie, Giants squandered the opportunity and with just over 20 minutes to play, they still trailed 16-0.
The need for quick points made the Claret and Gold try to force the issue and their attack never really looked fluent throughout.
The problem was compounded by the visitors when they kicked their third penalty of the evening to put themselves 18-0 ahead.
Giants had 15 minutes to haul themselves back into the game or their Challenge Cup dream would be over for yet another season.
Unsurprisingly, the Giants fans that braved the elements started to leave in dribs and drabs, eager to get away from a grim night on and off the field at the John Smith’s Stadium.
O’Brien, who was looking for his sixth kick of the evening, saw an effort hit the post.
As the game entered its final stages, surprisingly, it was Toronto on the front foot and looking to add to their tally.
When Kenny Edwards slipped on the fifth tackle, 20 metres out, to no reaction from the Cowbell Army, it was clear the fans had given up hope of an unlikely comeback.
Then, when Jermaine McGillvary also spilt the ball moments later, a deafening silence fell over the John Smith’s Stadium, Giants fans resigned to the fact there would be no cup glory in 2020.
In easily Huddersfield’s worst 80 minutes of the season, Toronto brought Giants back down to earth with a dominating display, leading to a chorus of boos from the fans who remained as the hooter sounded.
Huddersfield rarely threatened in attack and sloppy errors and some poor kicking meant that, on the rare occasion they put a wounded Toronto defence under pressure, they had zero memorable moments.
It was a performance very reminiscent of some of the worst of last season and, once again, it came in front of their own fans.
Attention now turns solely to the Super League and a game against Hull FC a week today.
They then face the Wolfpack once again on Marc 27 where they will hope to enact some revenge.
ENGLAND have left Stuart Broad out of their final warm-up match in Sri Lanka, but captain Joe Root is still ready to lean on the veteran seamer’s experience in the first Test at Galle.
The tourists begin a four-day first-class match against a President’s XI in Colombo today and their selection represents a firm nod towards their preferred team for the two-match series.
Broad was the only surprise absentee but Root offered a strong indication that the 33-year-old - who has the small matter of 138 caps and 485 wickets to his name was merely being held in reserve while Chris Woakes and Sam Curran battled for one place in the series opener.
With James Anderson, the only man ahead of Broad on England’s all-time wicket-taker list, left at home after recent injury problems it seems highly unlikely his long-term partner will also be overlooked.
“You look at someone like Stuart and he’s bowled a lot this winter so (it’s about) managing his workload. He knows what he’s got to do to get ready for the game,” said Root.
“All options are still on the table but you look at his experience, the amount of lefthanders they’ve got in their team, his knowledge of these conditions... that could be very valuable.
“I think he played his first game out here in 2007, so he’s had plenty of trips over here. He knows how the surfaces play and how to get the best out of them with his style of bowling.”
Slow left-armer Jack Leach has been cleared to play after calf trouble meaning leg-spinner Matt Parkinson sits out.