Double boost for Giants
Huddersfield claimed only their third win in 10 games on the day Nathan Brown revealed he is to stay another season at the helm.
Last Updated: 11/07/10 5:20pm
Huddersfield claimed only their third win in 10 games on the day coach Nathan Brown revealed he is to stay with the Giants until the end of next season.
Rumours about a U-turn by Brown had been circulating and at half-time, club officials finally ended the speculation by announcing the 36-year-old Australian would be staying at the helm in 2011.
The relief was clear on the pitch, as Huddersfield produced a gritty display to grind down stubborn resistance from a Crusaders side who held the match scoreless for the first 20 minutes.
Constant Giants pressure finally told when Luke Robinson capped a flowing move with the final pass for Shaun Lunt to dive over for a converted try on the 21st minute.
Robinson, who had a hand in all the first-half scores, gifted the ball to Crusaders stand-off Jarred Sammut minutes later and the Australian raced clear for a stunning solo try.
Robinson quickly made amends with a defence-splitting kick through for Stephen Wild to notch a converted touchdown in the right corner.
Robinson was at it again on 36 minutes with another kick through, which Jermaine McGillvary pounced on.
Victory sealed
Victory was effectively sealed early in the second half when Michael Lawrence dived over in the left corner to clinch a second win over Crusaders this season following a 38-10 victory in April.
Weller Hauraki grabbed a consolation try for the visitors on 63 minutes but then two late errors from Crusaders completed their miserable afternoon.
Adam Peek had the ball stolen from him by Lunt and the Giants second-rower put in Kevin Brown for a solo score.
And then in stoppage time McGillvary intercepted a misplaced pass and dashed the full length of the field to score.
The win was important for the play-off chasing Giants but the news about Brown may prove more vital in the medium-term.
Last year's Super League coach of the season announced his resignation in May and had been linked with a move to NRL side Sydney Roosters at the end of the current campaign.
It coincided with the announcement that star player Brett Hodgson was leaving for Warrington next term and prompted a dramatic collapse in form, from which the Giants may now be emerging.
