Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC: Sky bluer, grass greener but Jim Lenihan's men want more

Jim Lenihan can see it in everything from the colour of the sky to the taste of the post-match drinks.

But the Giants are refusing to let one victory paper over the cracks.

Their first win in 13 games at York Knights was greeted with relief but not complete satisfaction after dicing with danger in the closing stages.

That might be just as encouraging as the result itself.

"The sky is bluer, the grass is greener and the drinks after the game tasted a little bit sweeter," said Lenihan.

"In all seriousness, the guys themselves were really good. They were a little bit disappointed with the way the game finished.

"I think it's a good place where we're at, at the moment. We're a team that is learning and working hard at getting better in the way we play but they still felt a little bit disappointed with the last 10 minutes, where we had two sets in the last 10.

"We had a lot of exposure on our defence and they felt a little bit flat that they didn't finish the game off. I was really happy with their self-reflection, which was quite positive and realistic.

"There's no doubt I'm really happy with the outcome of the game. It gives us a little bit more confidence going into the back end of the year. It's come at a welcome time."

Huddersfield have seven games to build on that feeling and give themselves something to carry into 2027.

In the immediate aftermath of his first taste of success with the Giants, Lenihan bullishly declared that his side have “three, four, five wins left in us at the back end of the year” ahead of an opportunity to close the gap on Hull FC.

But while victory tonight would take Huddersfield to within two points of their fellow strugglers, Lenihan is keen to keep the focus on his own team rather than the permutations at the bottom of the table.

That, he insists, is the only way to build on their first win in 112 days.

"They're another one of those sides, like most in the bottom half of the table," added the Australian. "They've got a really big forward pack that get forward, a good set of outside backs with heavy carries and a couple of wily halves.

"We've certainly got our hands full but, like I've said most weeks, most of the focus is on us. We've got to have a game plan that we're happy with – play strong, get our tackles on and run hard.

"Sometimes football can be overcomplicated. We've been catching up on a lot of detail on how we want to play and see the progression in our game style – but it still comes down to effort and attitude. Nine times out of 10, that's the first brick to go in the wall.

"The last thing we can do after a win is feel comfortable and like the pressure has been taken off. It's quite the opposite – we've had a win and should be really excited about the opportunity to have back-to-back wins, regardless of whether we're playing Hull or Leeds. It's about us and how we turn up."

While Huddersfield have been in the trenches all year, it has been something of a slow death for Hull.

The Black and Whites appeared to have turned the corner last season, only to undo much of that hard work in a campaign that has unravelled since John Cartwright's departure.

Now, under interim boss Andy Last, they are in danger of finishing bottom for the first time in 62 years.

"It's a big game and two competition points that are important for our supporters and for our club," acknowledged Last, whose side suffered a 10th defeat in 11 games against Hull KR last time out.

"It's very important for us to get a strong performance and look to get a win.

"We're confident. The mood in the camp has certainly lifted from last Thursday and we're looking forward to the challenge.

"We don't want to finish bottom of the league, that's for sure."