Huddersfield Giants 24 Leeds Rhinos 31: McDermott praises Rhinos’ defence as Huddersfield lose Cudjoe for play-off trip to leaders Warrington

Leeds Rhinos may have needed this narrow victory to secure fifth spot – and a home elimination play-off against Hull FC on Sunday evening – but they are still in far better form than their loftier opponents.

Huddersfield had already confirmed fourth place before yesterday’s fixture, which they would have levelled with just 20 seconds remaining if Graeme Horne’s pass to Jermaine McGillvary had not been forward, but have now won just twice in their last eight games and still require major improvements.

Their attacking command so prevalent earlier in the season is, while showing signs of renaissance, still crucially absent when it matters most.

That was illustrated when, trailing 24-20, they earned four successive sets on the Leeds line but emerged with nothing, a combination of their opponents’ fine defence, poor organisation and two badly-miscued Danny Brough passes resulting in their failure.

“I thought we were fantastic defensively,” said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.

“There was a sustained period on our try-line where we repelled everything they had and that ultimately won the game.”

Conversely, compared to Huddersfield, improving Leeds have won five of their last six league contests and, with England winger Ryan Hall scoring twice, finally defeated a top-four side for the first time this term.

“That’s not a monkey off our back as such – maybe a tamarin but not a full gorilla,” responded McDermott, whose side led 12-0 early on but trailed 18-12 at the break. “It doesn’t mean anything next week. We’re certainly going to have to play to a standard we’ve not attained this season if we want to crack on and win a Grand Final.”

But the signs were there, especially in the opening quarter. Well-organised Huddersfield had weathered an early storm only to concede back-to-back tries through Zak Hardaker in the 17th minute and a coruscating Brent Webb effort after Ryan Bailey and Jamie Jones-Buchanan had cut open Giants’ middle, both improved by Kevin Sinfield.

However, once referee James Child awarded the hosts their first penalty – met by ironic cheers in the 22nd minute – they immediately scored with their first real attack, Leroy Cudjoe showing great hands to give winger McGillvary the chance.

Just as Leeds had, Huddersfield struck immediately although Scott Grix’s pass which unleashed Cudjoe in the build-up to Luke Robinson scampering over, Lee Gilmour offering the link, was clearly forward.

Brough converted twice and did likewise when Robinson’s astute pass put Larne Patrick over.

However, Hall scored within 57 seconds of the restart when Ali Lauitiiti’s off-load set in motion a splendid passing movement.

Robinson was held up, Sinfield and Brough exchanged penalties before the decisive score came in the 62nd minute when Carl Ablett dived over, Grix knocking the ball from his grasp only to see Hall pick up the pieces.

Then came Huddersfield’s pressure, absorbed by Leeds who responded when Sinfield’s inside pass put Jones-Buchanan over.

McGillvary fended off Sinfield for his second and thought a hat-trick was coming at the death but Horne’s execution was off and Sinfield slotted a drop goal.

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown, who will be without Cudjoe as they head to minor premiers Warrington for Friday’s qualifying play-off after the England centre picked up a knee injury, said: “Leeds played really well but we did at times.

“We’ve made some good improvements from last week but need to tighten up a couple of areas ideally for next.”

Huddersfield: Grix; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Horne, Lawrence; Brown, Brough; Crabtree, Robinson, Griffin, Gilmour, Fa’alogo, Ferguson. Substitutes: Mason, Simpson, Faiumu, Patrick.

Leeds: Webb; Jones-Bishop, Hardaker, Ablett, Hall; Sinfield, McGuire; Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Clarkson. Substitutes: Burrow, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Kirke.

Referee: J Child (Dewsbury).