Huddersfield Giants 24 Leeds Rhinos 8: Giants striding on as home-town hero Cudjoe celebrates milestone

The 25-year-old Giants centre grabbed two tries to mark his 150th appearance for his hometown club and earn a place in the quarter-final draw.

Super League champions Leeds had gone into the match as favourites, looking to go one better this season after finishing as Wembley losers for the last three years but Paul Anderson’s side delivered an immense display.

Victory was based upon Danny Brough’s tactical kicking, the powerhouse display from prop Eorl Crabtree, and the man-of-the-match performance from Cudjoe, who backed up a super defensive shift with two stunning tries.

The first was a 90-metre interception try, after Mitch Achurch was caught out, before Cudjoe settled the contest with a second steal after the Giants were forced to play for the last 20 minutes with 12 men after Joe Wardle was red-carded for punching.

Cudjoe, who made his Giants debut against the same opposition five years ago, revealed Saturday’s win ranked alongside the 2010 play-off victory over Warrington and the 2009 Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

“It was probably one of the top three games I have played in,” said the Huddersfield-born centre, a former Newsome Panthers junior. “The Warrington play-off game and the Challenge Cup semi-final, those were awesome days.

“Our defence was great. I think a lot of it is to do with pre-season, when we went to an army camp, because you can see out on the pitch the spirit within the team.

“Even down to 12 men we just dug deep to get the result.

“It was one of my best performances this year. I don’t think I have been great all season, though I have just been a bit more consistent. Before, I was up one week then okay the next.

“At the moment, the gap between my performance levels – great games and poor games – is smaller. It was a good way to celebrate my 150th appearance.”

Leeds went with an unchanged line-up from the 17 which beat Bradford Bulls 42-22 at Odsal last time in Super League, to stretch their unbeaten run before Saturday to eight games.

The Giants recalled Wardle to centre, Crabtree and forward Brett Ferres to the starting XIII, as they bounced back from the home defeat to Warrington Wolves with an impressive opening 40 minutes to lead 16-4.

With the wind at their backs, Brough twice gained quick ground with well-crafted kicks, and there was some slick passing from the Giants, with Luke Robinson to the fore.

Brough kicked Giants into the lead with an early penalty in front of the posts, after a high tackle by Danny McGuire on Crabtree.

Full-back Zak Hardaker then spilled a high punt, with no Giants player near him. Maybe it was the greasy conditions, with a downpour before kick-off, but the Rhinos were punished for their error.

It was Shaun Lunt, who was such a success on loan at Leeds last season, helping them reach Wembley in the Challenge Cup, who benefitted, darting over for the first try of the game.

It was a Yorkshire derby of frenetic pace and intensity, illustrated by 60 seconds of breathtaking rugby. The towering giant that is Crabtree should have increased the hosts’ lead, but a last-ditch tackle by Hardaker halted him just short of the line.

Huddersfield attempted to swiftly move the ball out wide, only for Kallum Watkins to intercept and Leeds roared to the opposite end of the pitch.

Brough thought he had mopped up the danger when he dragged down McGuire but the ball was fed wide and right winger Watkins touched down in the corner.

Jermaine McGillvary showed his rampaging speed down the opposite flank to create Huddersfield’s second try, Wardle the beneficiary when the ball was switched right to left via Brough and Ferres.

A stunning opening 20 minutes saw Giants lead 12-4 as they looked so different to the team which crumbled against Warrington.

Leeds turned down a kickable penalty after Crabtree was penalised for holding down Rob Burrow and they were punished when Cudjoe nipped in to pinch the ball before sprinting the length of the pitch to score.

Brough missed a couple of long-range conversion attempts, but his precision kicking was proving a defensive outlet for Huddersfield.

Video referee Steve Ganson twice ruled out tries at the end of the first half, first against McGuire for losing the ball and then Jamie Cording, who was held up by Hardaker.

Huddersfield were nearly punished at the start of the second half when Scott Grix tried to let the ball run dead, only for Watkins to dive in and it took another video replay session to determine there was no score.

Leeds were piling on the pressure but Huddersfield produced some terrific defending on their line to keep the visitors at bay, both McGuire and Jamie Peacock held up over the line.

But it was Brough who extended the gap when he kicked a 48th-minute penalty.

The Giants were forced to play the last quarter with a man less after Wardle was sent off for launching a series of punches on Carl Ablett.

Leeds piled forward looking to make their advantage count, only for Cudjoe to pick up an interception and relieve the pressure.

But it was just brief respite as the Super League champions refused to throw in the towel, Watkins giving Leeds a lifeline with a 69th-minute try.

Kevin Sinfield missed both conversion attempts and Leeds fans in the 11,389 crowd were already heading for exits when Cudjoe ensured a thrilling Cup win with an interception try, which Brough converted.

Huddersfield Giants: Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Chan, Ferguson. Substitutes: Faiumu, Patrick, Ta’ai, Cording.

Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Watkins, Ablett, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Sinfield, Leuluai, Burrow, Peacock, Delaney, Achurch, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: McShane, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson.

Referee: P Bentham (RFL).

Wardle niggled into red card claims coach

Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson believes centre Joe Wardle’s dismissal for punching in their Challenge Cup win over Leeds could prove “a career-defining moment”.

Wardle, 21, paid the price as he delivered a flurry of punches on Rhinos centre 
Carl Ablett, leaving referee Phil Bentham with no alternative but to brandish the red card.

The Giants were leading 18-4 after 61 minutes and they comfortably stood firm with 12 men to run out 24-8 winners and book their place in the quarter-finals.

Wardle is facing a suspension but he received some backing from Anderson for responding to what the coach believes were niggling tactics by Ablett.

“We might have to play with 12 more often,” said Anderson. “I’ve not looked at it but, if he’s punched him, he’s probably got what he deserves.

“I’m happy for him. It’s a real defining moment in Joe Wardle’s career. People go out and niggle and he’s stood up to it. I’m not happy with the sending-off but he’s grown up a bit today.”

It is the second time in a month that Huddersfield have overcome a sending-off to secure a notable victory.

They had Luke Robinson dismissed 26 minutes from the end of their Super League game against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan a fortnight ago but came from behind to win.

Of Saturday’s encounter, Anderson said: “I thought it was a very good game, probably one you would have liked to have seen at Wembley.

“I don’t think our game management was particularly great. We overplayed at times. When we played it simple, we created a lot of opportunities.

“Our defence was outstanding. When we were defending our tryline, I didn’t think there was any point when we were in danger. It’s a real good sign for us.”

It is the third time in recent years the Giants have won with 12 men against Leeds, whose coach, Brian McDermott, believes the dismissal of Wardle probably worked against his side.

“It just shows you can get a bloke sent off and teams bar up,” said McDermott, whose side also won in Perpignan this year with 12 men.

“I actually felt it was going to work in their favour. I think 12 men can defend a tryline for 20 or 25 minutes.

“Huddersfield played better than we did. We made some uncharacteristic errors.

“Whilst I’m very disappointed, I’ve no real complaints. It was just a combination of a few things.”

Giants’ England prop Eorl Crabtree said: “For us as a club it means we’re moving forward. We really enjoy defending for our lives, we’re a big family and we’re going places.

“My granddad has a winner’s medal and I want one to add to it.”