Leeds scrape past Giants

Rowley's exertions were not good enough on the day

Leeds 52-46 Huddersfield

Plucky Huddersfield earned the unwanted record of scoring the most points by a losing team as they went down to Leeds.

Huddersfield's tally of 46 points was the highest score accumulated since Super League started in 1996.

The Rhinos were expected to comfortably win the contest, but found themselves behind almost immediately when Brandon Costin went over from close range to give the Giants an early boost.

Barrie McDermott hit back for Leeds before Huddersfield struck through Ben Cooper who took full advantage of slack Rhinos defending.

Leeds then showed the form they are capable of when the influential Keith Senior brought the play over the halfway line and then provided a pass for Marcus St Hilaire, as the home side drew level.

Leeds then ran four quick tries. Teenage scrum-half Rob Burrow put ina superb high kick which fell into the grasp of Mark Calderwood, who went over for his first Super League try.

Hooker Robbie Mears then went over and then Burrow himself also put his name on the scoresheet.

Senior got his just reward for another Leeds try and along with Iestyn Harris' kicks, the score reached 34-10.

Giants' hooker Paul Rowley went over just before the interval to reduce the lead, but they were back to square one after the break when Francis Cummins outpaced the defence.

But all Leeds' work was undone when penalty awards to the vistors saw costin, Mick Slicker and Martin Gleeson ease through.

Senior eased Leeds' negative mood when he put St Hilaire through.

But the Giants put the pressure on right up to the end when Ben Kusto and David Lomax went over.

Leeds: Cummins, Calderwood, Walker, Senior, St Hilaire, Harris, Burrow, Fleary, Mears, McDermott, Carroll, Farrell, Wrench. Replacements: Mullins, Mathiou, Hay, Sinfield.

Huddersfield: Cooper, Frew, Costin, Cardoza, Gleeson, Thorman, Kusto, Laughton, Rowley, Marshall, Lomax, Atkins, McNamara. Replacements: Langley, Molyneux, Molloy, Slicker.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)