Bradford Bulls 6 Huddersfield Giants 52: Bulls are flattened as Giants trample all over them

In the month of May, the Giants were whipped by Warrington in the Carnegie Challenge Cup and Engage Super League before a double-header defeat to Wigan Warriors.

Coupled with news that Brown would be quitting Huddersfield at the end of the season, along with star player Brett Hodgson, it had many Giants fans wondering 'what next?'

A vintage five-star performance from Huddersfield was the answer yesterday, reminiscent of their sparkling form of last season, as they inflicted a heavy defeat on a Bradford side themselves still suffering their own Challenge Cup hangover after being beaten by Warrington in the quarter-finals last weekend.

Brown reserved special praise for Man of Steel Hodgson, who will join Tony Smith's Wolves at the end of the season, after scoring 20 points and orchestrating a superb win.

"I thought it was his best game for a long time," said Brown. "He's had a lot of stuff on his plate but now his body is healthy and his mind is pretty clear. He was outstanding.

"If you watch all the sides that played in the quarter-finals last week, I don't think any of them came out and played their best this week.

"We came in off the back of a week off and we were definitely fresh."

Maybe it was the wet conditions, but both sides were guilty of basic handling errors in the early exchanges but it was the visitors who troubled the scorers first.

Lee Gilmour pounced on a deft kick from Brett Hodgson, who also added the conversion in front of the posts.

The Australian was at the heart of Huddersfield's attacking play and his ability to keep the ball alive resulted in his side's second try inside the first 20 minutes.

He sent the ball across field, Eorl Crabtree managed to flip the ball on under pressure, and winger David Hodgson raced in at the corner.

Crabtree, starting the match rather than coming off the bench, was a huge battering ram and Bradford were struggling to find any attacking potency without Matt Orford, who was ruled out due to illness.

So it was no surprise when the Giants increased their advantage, Leroy Cudjoe slipping in debut-maker Jermaine McGillvary for a try converted by Brett Hodgson.

After last week's narrow defeat to Warrington, Bulls fans had turned up expecting a repeat performance against their near neighbours.

What they did not expect was a tepid defensive display, exploited once more by Huddersfield's Kevin Brown as he sliced through the line. With options lining up either side of the stand-off, it was all too easy for the Giants, this time Cudjoe taking advantage to cruise over.

Brett Hodgson added the extras to leave Bulls facing a 22-0 deficit inside the first half hour, and the Australian had a hand, or rather a boot, in the visitors' next try.

He kicked through to the corner and McGillvary somehow managed to ground the ball just inside the whitewash, with Hodgson converting yet again.

Bradford desperately needed a lifeline before half-time and Paul Sykes looked like he had scored but dropped the ball as he crashed over the line, the home side trooping off to a chorus of half-time boos from the Odsal crowd.

The Bulls knew it was just not going to be their day when Huddersfield ran in their sixth try of the match.

A towering kick from Danny Brough evaded Bulls full-back Dave Halley and bounced against the posts before falling fortuitously into the arms of a grateful Luke Robinson.

Brett Hodgson fired over the conversion to put Huddersfield out of sight at 34-0, and Michael Lawrence had the luxury of shrugging off a missed chance as he fumbled with the line at his mercy.

As the gloom fell on Odsal, with a storm imminent, Brett Hodgson took centre stage once more. He capped a terrific afternoon with a solo try, weaving his way past several would-be tacklers, before adding the conversion himself.

Heath L'Estrange played in Menzies for a late consolation try, converted by Sykes, but the visitors replied with tries from Darrell Griffin and Dave Hodgson with Brett Hodgson adding the extras.

"We're hugely disappointed with our efforts, it's not acceptable to come up with a scoreline like that," said Bulls coach Steve McNamara. "There was a big gulf in the two sides today. You could see the difference in energy levels right from the start.

"We invested a lot physically and emotionally last week but that's no excuse – that game was seven days ago and we should have performed a lot better."

Bradford Bulls: Halley, Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Reardon, Sykes, L'Estrange, Scruton, Godwin, Lynch, Whitehead, Hall, Menzies. Substitutes: Wardle, Worrincy, Addy, Kopczak.

Huddersfield Giants: B Hodgson, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Lawrence, D Hodgson, Brown, Brough, Crabtree, Robinson, Mason, Gilmour, Wild, Faiumu. Substitutes: Patrick, Griggin, Fa'alogo, Lunt.

Referee: J Child (Dewsbury).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Brett Hodgson

The Australian full-back ran Bradford ragged, converting eight out of nine tries as well as grabbing a fine individual try himself.

Villain: Dave Halley

Easy to point the finger at the Bulls full-back, but he was not alone in a sorry defensive display by Bradford.

Key moment: 5th minute

Lee Gilmour crashed over for Huddersfield's first try and from then on it was one-way traffic for the Giants.

Ref watch

James Child controlled the game well, including defusing a nasty clash between Wayne Godwin and Luke Robinson.

Verdict

Both coaches will depart at the end of the season – on this showing the new Giants boss will be the happier.

Next game

Super League: St Helens v Huddersfield, Friday - 8pm; Crusaders v Bradford, Sunday - 5.15pm.

Quote of the day

We're hugely disappointed with our efforts, it's not acceptable to come up with a scoreline like that.

– Bradford Bulls coach Steve McNamara shows his frustration.