WATCH: Huddersfield Giants 32 Hull KR 22: Matt Parcell hat-trick in vain as Giants hold on

Relieved Huddersfield Giants held off a valiant Hull KR fightback - inspired by Matt Parcell’s second half hat-trick - to secure a third straight win under interim head coach Luke Robinson.

It was fitting that such an action-packed game should round off what had been a dramatic day at John Smith’s Stadium.

It was announced earlier in the afternoon that kick-off would be put back 90 minutes to 7pm after Giants received four positive Covid tests this morning.

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They were awaiting retesting results for four other players, too, and there was a chance the West Yorkshire club would not even be able to open the ground given some stadium staff had to stand down for track and trace reasons.

Managing director Richard Thewlis was also left at home self-isolating but, with a skeleton staff, and the assistance of the RFL, they were able to get the game on and - eventually - it reaped rewards.

Robinson’s 100 per cent record since taking over from Simon Woolford continues and hopes of gatecrashing Super League’s top-four are very much alive even if Parcell caused them to splutter.

Fresh from announcing a new contract on Monday, his quickfire treble saw the competition’s bottom side hit back from 18-0 down to trail just 26-18.

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However, within moments of securing his third, the Australian was sin-binned for a professional foul having helped Kyle Trout chase down Ashton Golding, the Giants full-back who brilliantly claimed Jordan Abdull’s kick to turn defence into attack with a thrilling 80m run.

Huddersfield Giants' Jermaine McGillvary celebrates the first of his two tries (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)Huddersfield Giants' Jermaine McGillvary celebrates the first of his two tries (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)
Huddersfield Giants' Jermaine McGillvary celebrates the first of his two tries (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)

It was an excellent rearguard effort, particularly from the athletic prop Trout, but with Parcell clearly lying on, the hosts exposed them when down to 12 men, Jake Wardle dummying his way over to end any fears of defeat.

Olly Russell converted but there was still time for 18-year-old Will Tate - making only his second appearance after debuting last week - to score his first try in Robins colours.

Initially played in miserable weather, Robinson’s side mastered the conditions far more effectively than their opponents and looked in command.

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Huddersfield overcame an early setback, too, when Jordan Turner had to depart after just four minutes following a clash of heads with Ben Crooks, the KR winger returning from injury himself but deployed here at full-back by Tony Smith.

Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)
Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)

Yet Russell came on and delivered one of his best displays of the season. The young half-back has struggled at times but here he was far more measured, kicked and distributed well and also came up with a thundering hit on Owen Harrison that forced the ball loose for Giants to score their second try.

Aidan Sezer, typically, came up with the assist, his perfect chipped kick finding the unmarked Jermaine McGillvary on the full.

Rovers had already missed a glorious chance to open the scoring, former Kiwi international Shaun Kenny-Dowall seeing a foot in touch trying to get in when he could easily have slid over in the greasy conditions.

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Instead, a lovely Kenny Edwards break led to Golding scoring, the former Leeds Rhinos player who was excellent in both attack and defence.

Huddersfield Giants' Ashton Golding scores his side's first try. (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)Huddersfield Giants' Ashton Golding scores his side's first try. (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)
Huddersfield Giants' Ashton Golding scores his side's first try. (PIC: JONATHAN GAWTHORPE)

He expertly mopped up one threatening kick on his own line and, soon after, McGillvary was in for his second try.

When Rovers conceded a penalty the Giants trainer arrived with the kicking tee - but captain Sezer had already played on and it proved the correct decision.

By the end of the set, the Australian half-back - so influential on this winning run - had flighted another of his long passes for the England winger to score.

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That said, unusually he was off target with the conversion attempt, missing for a second time meaning Russell took over when they scored their fourth try on the stroke of half-time.

Sam Wood intercepted a Jamie Ellis pass on his own line and, though Wardle was tracked back, Huddersfield shifted it wide right for Leroy Cudjoe to score his first try in two years.

Russell, however, missed the conversion as well meaning KR still had something to aim for.

With dry conditions in the second period, they emerged much improved, their pack winning far more quick play-the-balls to allow Parcell to do his stuff.

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A rare Golding error led to Abdull dabbing in a grubber for the hooker to score his first on 44 minutes, Ellis adding the first of his three conversions, and, although Russell replied with a penalty, Parcell grabbed his second with a runaround before bounding off defenders.

Sezer - who was a doubt for the second half due to a back strain - made a smart late run to direct a grubber in for Chris McQueen to score, Russell improving.

Still, resilient Rovers won a short restart to set up position for the livewire Parcell to snipe through back-tracking defenders for his third just before the hour.

It would not be enough, though, and Giants held on.

Huddersfield Giants: Golding; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Jake Wardle, Wood; Turner, Sezer; English, Holmes, Matagi, Edwards, McQueen, Lawrence. Substitutes: Russell, Hewitt, O Trout, Wilson.

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Hull KR: Crooks; Minikin, Kenny-Dowall, Tate, Rawsthorne; Abdull, Ellis; Lawler, Parcell, Hauraki, Linnett, Harrison, Minchella. Substitutes: Mulhern, K Trout, Gee, Peteru.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes)

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Thank you

James Mitchinson

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