Jermaine: I was rusty, but what a great day!

JERMAINE McGillvary admits he was a bit rusty in his first game in pre-season – but admits he was honoured by the turnout for his testimonial.

Around 2,000 fans watched Huddersfield Giants take on Halifax for the Infirmary Cup at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon, a match which doubled up as his benefit game.

The Claret and Gold ran out comfortable 42-6 winners as Simon Woolford began his on-pitch preparations for the new campaign, which starts on February 1 with a trip to Catalans Dragons.

And Great Britain winger McGillvary – who was an integral part of the Giants side which lifted the 2013 League Leaders’ Shield and was also named in the 2015 Super League Dream Team – enjoyed his special day.

“I was a bit rusty, which is to be expected,” said the 31-year-old, who made his first-team debut in 2010.

“It was my first time out since my elbow operation, but it was good fun.

“And it was good to see the young lads get out there and to blow the cobwebs off ahead of the new season.

“We can’t read too much into the result, but it was good to see the combinations flowing, We need to improve as the weeks go along ahead of the new season.”

And McGillvary says he was proud to see so many fans turn out for him, especially considering Rob Burrows’ emotional testimonial game was being played at Headingley at the same time. He added: “I was expecting a fewer people, especially with the match for Jamie Jones and Rob Burrows going on at the same time, but I am really happy with that.”