Giants down despite win

Two tries from Stanley Gene were not enough

Huddersfield 28-24 London

Huddersfield Giants were relegated to the Northern Ford Premiership despite a dramatic last-day victory over the London Broncos.

The Giants completed a run of 13 points from their last 13 matches with a 28-24 win over the Broncos, but the news from elsewhere was not good.

Relegation rivals Wakefield came back from behind to beat Salford 32-24 and condemn the Giants to the drop.

Giants coach Tony Smith described the mood of the players as "sombre" after the match, but confirmed he would be staying on next season.

Huddersfield turned their season around fantastically well and probably don't deserve to go down

Tony Rea,
London Broncos coach

"There are some people worried about their futures," he said. "It's very sombre in the dressing room.

"It's the wierdest feeling I've ever had. When you win a game and play your guts out and get news like that. It's something I've never had to deal with."

Huddersfield made a poor start at the McAlpine Stadium as Broncos scrum-half Dennis Moran crossed for a try in the second minute that was converted by Brett Warton.

But the Giants responded with the kind of performance that was so sorely lacking earlier in the season.

Five tries and 28 points went on the board without reply, with the Huddersfield forwards dominating the match.

A try in each half from centre Martin Gleeson plus scores from Stanley Gene, Paul Reilly and Hefin O'Hare left the Broncos reeling.

Huddersfield understandably went on the defensive with such a commanding lead and it almost proved costly as the Broncos rallied in the closing stages.

Tries from Greg Fleming, Mat Toshack and Nigel Roy helped the Londoners to within four points and Jim Dymock almost levelled when he failed to ground the ball after charging over the line.

Desperate

The home side held on with some desperate drop-outs to take the win, but it was not enough to keep the Giants in the Super League.

London Broncos coach Tony Rea praised the Giants' effort but had no sympathy for their plight.

"The opposition showed a hell of a lot of spirit and their defence was superb," said Rea.

"It would be unfair to Wakefield to have sympathy for Huddersfield but I'd like to pay tribute to them.

"They turned their season around fantastically well and probably don't deserve to go down.

"I am sure if they could have stayed up, Tony Smith would have turned them around."