TRICKY RICKY TREBLE TAMES TIGERS

24 BY JULIE STOTT

RICKY LEUTELE pulled the Giants back from the brink with a brilliant late hat-trick to kill off the Tigers.

Castleford threatened a gutsy win after recovering from a disastrous first-half in which they leaked 18 unanswered points.

Jake Trueman’s second try gave them the lead for

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the first time in the 59th minute and the momentum was firmly in their favour.

But a yellow card for Cas forward George Lawler – the fourth sin-binning in the game – gave the Giants a lifeline.

And Samoan centre Leutele (right) grabbed it with both hands, scoring three tries.

Giants Coach Ian Watson said: “We knew there was enough time. It shows a resilience in the group – they are playing for each other.” Opposite number Lee Radford said: “We had a chance in the second-half but our reluctance to defend in the firsthalf killed us and will continue to kill us unless we can get that fixed up.”

Huddersfield romped to an 18-0 lead with tries from Owen Trout, Luke Yates and Jermaine McGillvary.

Castleford hit back with a four-try salvo thanks to Trueman’s double and Mahe Fonua and Greg Eden.

But Leutele’s late treble kept up Huddersfield’s form near the top of the table.