Huddersfield Giants 6 St Helens 24: Brough's debut ends in defeat as Giants stumble

St Helens may not have won Super League since 2006 and are not as fearsome as once before – something Giants coach Nathan Brown alluded to pre-match – but they proved their own championship potential with a convincing display that saw them oust their West Yorkshire opponents from third.

With barnstorming England prop James Graham, the elusive Leon Pryce – who offered to play full-back in Paul Wellens's absence – and the growing talent of Kyle Eastmond, St Helens out-muscled and outplayed the hosts who were unusually subdued at the Galpharm Stadium.

Huddersfield had chances but continually wasted them and, while frustrated by some of French official Thierry Alibert's decisions, Brown admitted they only had themselves to blame for their third defeat of the season.

"The problem with us today was we had too many people thinking they should probably have the whistle," said the refreshingly honest Australian when quizzed about some of Alibert's calls.

"If we'd have had more players getting themselves right and not worrying about the referee maybe we'd have done better.

"Too many wanted to blame him rather than get their own game in order.

"We turned over too much ball and you can't keep doing that against good opposition like that."

The perfect example came late on when, trailing 18-6 and looking for a way back into the contest, Jamahl Lolesi – in for the rested Leroy Cudjoe – strode clear but gave a forward pass to the supporting Scott Grix with both Brett Hodgson and debutant Danny Brough easier options inside.

It was the last of numerous opportunities bombed and, soon after, diminutive England star Eastmond showed them how it should be done.

With just two minutes remaining, he left Eorl Crabtree and David Faiumu floored in his wake with a trademark jinx to the line, completing the victory with his fourth goal.

Huddersfield, bidding for a fourth successive win, struggled to get out of their own half in the opening quarter and fell 10-0 behind.

Heading into a strong wind, their kicking game played into the hands – quite literally – of Saints who consequently dominated field position for much of the early stages.

Francis Meli scored twice, his first coming in the sixth minute after the strong-running Graham had been held just short.

Eastmond bumped off one attempted tackle and found Pryce who launched a huge, sweeping pass back to the equally impressive Gary Wheeler on the other flank.

The young centre showed great footwork to beat Stephen Wild and put in his winger who crossed again for a try nine minutes later.

Graham was again to the fore, easily charging though Wild from inside his own half before Wheeler offered the link for Meli to sprint over.

Eastmond converted and Huddersfield were fortunate not to be further down.

Earlier, Matt Gidley had produced an audacious but typically pinpoint pass through his legs, winger Ade Gardner only denied by frantic scramble defence, and the sublime Australian centre then seemed destined to score himself after fending Paul Whatuira.

However, instead he tried finding Gardner again only for the ball to go into touch.

When Huddersfield finally started to gain some position – prop Crabtree giving them much-needed impact off the bench and Robinson providing more direction after switching to hooker to accommodate Brough's arrival – they were left ruing missed opportunities.

Shaun Lunt got his arms free but off-loaded forward to Wild, ex-Saints man Lee Gilmour dropped an inside pass from Brown, David Hodgson was pulled back after Whatuira had messed up another Brown assist, Robinson got held up over the line before Brett Hodgson passed to no one in another positive attacking position.

New arrival Brough was bought from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats during the week to improve Giants' kicking game and he did produce some clever options, particularly in the second half.

But what Huddersfield needed yesterday was some honest graft as they found it difficult making yards against a Saints side who dominated the usually powerful Giants pack.

Brown finally delivered a perfect long pass for Scott Grix – on the wing following an injury to Wild – to score in the 49th minute with Brett Hodgson landing the conversion. But it did not signal a fightback as Eastmond made it 12-6 with a penalty and James Roby came off the bench to further hurt Huddersfield up the middle with his penetrating runs.

Graham clinched it in the 67th minute, twisting over out of the tackle from close range, although home players claimed he did not touch down.

Huddersfield won a short re-start to give themselves a chance but typically could not capitalise.

Wheeler – who had suffered a horrendous gash to his shin after being bundled over the advertising boards on the first half hooter – produced an outstanding tackle on Brown after he had slipped clear and then Whatuira knocked on before Eastmond sealed it.

Huddersfield: B Hodgson; Lolesi, Wild, Whatuira, D Hodgson; Brown, Robinson; Griffin, Lunt, Raleigh, Gilmour, Patrick, Faiumu. Substitutes: Crabtree, Brough, Grix, Aspinwall.

St Helens: Pryce; Gardner, Gidley, Wheeler, Meli; Wilkin, Eastmond; Graham, Cunningham, Puletua, Flannery, Clough, Moore. Substitutes: Fa'asavalu, Harreaves, Roby, Dixon.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: James Graham

The no-nonsense forward dominated Huddersfield's pack with his big surges, scored one try and created another. The home side needed a few like him with similar drive and aggression.

'Villain': Stephen Wild

The Huddersfield centre was at fault for Saints' opening two tries and was often out-manoeuvered by Gary Wheeler before departing with an injury.

Key moment

When David Hodgson's first-half try was ruled out for a forward pass, Giants urgently needed to get a breakthrough. They did not, went into the break 10-0 down and never really got back into the contest.

Verdict

Too many playmakers and not enough actual grunt on the park for Huddersfield and finding the best way to accommodate all their skilled operators could be the test for Nathan Brown.

Next game

Friday, April 2: Catalans Dragons (h), 7pm

Quote of the day

He's definitely going to be a positive influence for the team. Some of his kicks were quite good. It'll take a bit of time for players to get used to playing with him but he's definitely going to be a good purchase for the club

– Nathan Brown on Brough