GIANT STRIDE
Win relief for Watson
HUDDERSFIELD were able to put the ugly Fenton Rogers scandal to one side as they notched up their third win of the season.
The Giants were rocked on match eve with the news forward Rogers had been charged with drink driving and bailed on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
Ian Watson’s men took a while to get started at Plough Lane, trailing 6-0 early, before wearing down their winless opponents in the final match of Rivals Rounds, with Sam Halsall putting the icing on the cake.
Asked about Rogers, Watson said: “Fenton will have to deal with the consequences that come from there now.
“It’s best left with the club and him. I’ve spoken with Fenton and know what he’s feeling.
“He’s remorseful, but let the club go through the process. Let the police do what they’re doing.
“After that you can probably talk about it but at the moment it’s very raw for a young lad in his position. Hopefully we can get it sorted and move forward.”
Watson said Halsall had feared being dropped after the loss to Hull KR a fortnight ago, so much so Jake Bibby called the youngster to assure him the coach would stick by him.
“He’s a great kid and he’s going to be a great, great player,” Watson said of Halsall.
“He’ll be an international if he keeps developing the right way. If I could put something on him, he’ll potentially be as good as Mark Percival.
“I’m saying his name because one of our boys mentioned the similarities between them.
“Adam Swift played with him at St Helens and obviously now he’s playing with Sam.”
London had a penalty try from pint-sized half Oli Leyland in the 11th minute after Kevin Naiqama took him out. The 6-0 scoreline became 6-4 when Tai Lolohea kicked into the corner and Bibby got there first in the 23rd minute.
Former New Zealand star Esan Marsters skipped into a gap off an inside ball close to the line three minutes later and the Giants were in front.
Giants winger Adam Swift crossed before the break, though Harvey Livett had been unable to convert any first-half scores. Lolohea was handed those duties in the second half and was more successful.
Half-back Adam Clune beat Dean Parata’s tackle and took Jarrad Bassett over the line with him to blow the score out to 18-6 and Lolohea added a penalty.
The final try saw Halsall fly high, Aussie Rules style, to claim a crossfield kick, the video referee confirming the youngster grounded the ball safely.