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Mansfield 1 Liverpool 2: Match report

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Mansfield 1 Liverpool 2: Dream debut for Sturridge but Stags rage at Suarez handball

PUBLISHED:

17:55 GMT, 6 January 2013

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UPDATED:

18:19 GMT, 6 January 2013

Liverpool new-boy Daniel Sturridge made an immediate impact to leave Mansfield manager Paul Cox mulling over his honeymoon options after failing to pull off an FA Cup giant-killing.

Sturridge, a 12million buy from Chelsea a few days ago, wasted no time in getting off the mark and helping the Reds into the fourth round – and another tricky trip to Oldham – at the expense of their non-league opponents.

The Blue Square Bet Conference side had their moments, notably at the start of the second half, before Luis Suarez further crushed their hopes in the 59th minute – and not without controversy.

Dream debut: Daniel Sturridge celebrates with team mates after scoring his first goal for Liverpool

Dream debut: Daniel Sturridge celebrates with team mates after scoring his first goal for Liverpool

MATCH FACTS:

Mansfield: Marriott, Thompson, Dempster, Geohaghon, Beevers, Meikle, Clements (Rhead 81), Murray, Howell, Briscoe (Daniel 64), Green.

Subs not used: Sutton, Speight, Wright, Hutchinson, Stevenson.

Booked: Beevers.

Goal: Green 79.

Liverpool: Jones, Wisdom (Flanagan 79), Coates, Carragher, Robinson, Lucas, Allen, Shelvey, Fernandez Saez (Henderson 55), Sturridge (Suarez 55), Downing.

Subs not used: Gulacsi, Sterling, Coady, Skrtel.

Booked: Lucas, Sturridge, Flanagan.

Goals: Sturridge 7, Suarez 59.

Attendance: 7,574

Referee: Andre Marriner

If a contentious handball had been spotted then perhaps Matt Green's 79th-minute strike might have forced a lucrative replay at Anfield, but it was not to be.

Instead for Cox, who turned 41 today and who married on Friday, his new wife Natasha will have to start flicking through the holiday brochures after failing to cash in on a promise from Blue Square that they would have paid for his honeymoon if the Stags had won.

Unfortunately, they made the worst possible start as it took just eight minutes for Liverpool, and Sturridge in particular, to make their mark.

The Stags defence was scythed open with ease by a delightful through ball from Jonjo Shelvey, and with Sturridge showing a turn of speed in racing on to the pass, he slotted comfortably beyond Alan Marriott from 12 yards.

The goal allowed the visitors to take control, with Marriott firmly behind a raking low drive from just outside the area from Joe Allen five minutes later that could have deceived as it flashed through a crowded penalty area.

Within 90 seconds it should have been
2-0, and effectively game over, as the Shelvey-Sturridge partnership
combined again, with the latter clean through on to another incisive
defence-splitting pass.

Tidy finish: Sturridge slots the ball past Alan Marriott

Tidy finish: Sturridge slots the ball past Alan Marriott

On this occasion, however, Sturridge
dithered perhaps a fraction too long and shimmied once too often as his
eventual crack at goal was beaten away by Marriott at close range.

At that stage, with just 15 minutes
elapsed, that would likely have knocked the stuffing out of the Stags,
however they grew in confidence as the half wore on even if Liverpool
continued to dominate.

They were indebted to a superb sliding
tackle from Lindon Meikle in thwarting Suso on the edge of the six-yard
box, while John Thompson bravely threw his body in the way of a drive
from Stewart Downing as he raced into the area.

Handball! Luis Suarez brings the ball down with his hand before scoring

Handball! Luis Suarez brings the ball down with his hand before scoring

Moment of controversy: Luis Suarez scored after handling the ball

Moment of controversy: Luis Suarez scored after handling the ball

In it goes: Suarez taps the ball over the line

In it goes: Suarez taps the ball over the line

But with the realisation they were in
the game and there was no walkover on the cards, and with the crowd
becoming ever more vocal, they finally conjured their first chance just
after the half hour.

A quick surging move resulted in
leading scorer Green unleashing a fierce 18-yard drive that stung the
fingers of goalkeeper Brad Jones, with Jose Reina one of those rested,
along with captain Steven Gerrard.

They were amongst eight changes made
to the side following the recent 3-0 victory over Sunderland, with Jamie
Carragher taking over the skipper's armband.

With Suarez on the bench, Sturridge
was given his chance to shine and a minute before the break he again
managed to get in behind the home defence from a Shelvey pass, firing in
a shot Marriott touched beyond the far post.

In with a shout: Mansfield Town's Matt Green pulls a goal back

In with a shout: Mansfield Town's Matt Green pulls a goal back

All smiles: Green celebrates his goal

All smiles: Green celebrates his goal

Whatever Cox then said to his players
during the interval worked a treat as Town gave the Reds the fright of
their lives in the opening few minutes of the second half as they
besieged their opponent's area.

It was all sparked by a close-range shot from Anthony Howell that Jones nudged past his right-hand post.

Beyond that Howell saw another effort
blocked by Carragher before Jones saved from Louis Briscoe, made a more
fumbled attempt from Meikle, and then tipped one past his left-hand
upright as Briscoe aimed a powerful angled drive towards the top corner.

Getting stuck in: Mansfield's Lindon Meikle challenges Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

Getting stuck in: Mansfield's Lindon Meikle challenges Liverpool's Lucas Leiva

It was hair-raising stuff for
Liverpool, who eventually drew breath in the 53rd minute on a breakaway
which culminated in Sturridge dragging a Downing pass across Marriott.

It proved to be his last act of his
debut as Rodgers replaced the 23-year-old and Suso moments later with
Suarez and Jordan Henderson.

The Uruguayan's introduction paid immediate dividends, but not without typical debate for which he has become renowned.

Getting there first: Meikle and Suso battle for the ball

Getting there first: Meikle and Suso battle for the ball

Again Downing was the provider and
after Suarez's initial effort was blocked by Marriott, he then used his
hand to bundle home the rebound from a couple of yards, sparking appeals
from the Town players that went unrewarded.

The game appeared to be petering out
towards a natural conclusion until Green struck 11 minutes from time
with a right-foot shot from 15 yards that bounced off the turf and
beyond Jones, heralding a frenetic finish.

The most notable chance saw Green
lash a shot goalwards from 20 yards in the first of five minutes of
injury time, only for Jones to paw away.

In the end, there was to be no romantic ending. Cox will have to save that for his honeymoon.

England 44 France 6: Sam Tomkins milestone puts the cap on dominant display

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England 44 France 6: Tomkins milestone puts the cap on dominant display

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UPDATED:

17:01 GMT, 3 November 2012

Sam Tomkins became England's all-time leading tryscorer as Steve McNamara's men followed up their 80-12 rout of Wales with an equally impressive demolition of France at Craven Park.

The Wigan full-back, who missed the Welsh game with a knee injury, marked his return with two first-half tries to take his tally for England to 14 in as many appearances, breaking the record set by former Wigan and St Helens winger Alf Ellaby in 1935.

Centre Kallum Watkins provided a further illustration of his exceptional talent with a well-taken hat-trick, while winger Tom Briscoe marked his recall with two tries to climb in the top-10 list as England drew first blood ahead of next Sunday's final at the City of Salford Stadium.

Record breaker: Sam Tomkins scored two tries against France to become England's record tryscorer

Record breaker: Sam Tomkins scored two tries against France to become England's top tryscorer

England's top 12 tryscorers

14 Sam Tomkins (Wigan) 2009-12.

13 Alf Ellaby (St Helens and Wigan) 1927-35.

11 Mark Calderwood (Leeds, Wigan and Hull) 2004-08.

10 Billy Dingsdale (Warrington) 1928-33.

10 Keith Fielding (Salford) 1975.

9 Charlie Carr (Barrow) 1924-28.

9 Ryan Hall (Leeds) 2009-12.

9 Tom Briscoe (Hull) 2009-12.

8 Eric Hughes (Widnes) 1975-79.

8 Jim Leytham (Wigan) 1905-10.

8 Martin Offiah (Wigan) 1992-96.

8 Jamie Peacock (Bradford and Leeds) 2000-12.

England were coasting at 38-0 before hooker Kane Bentley scored France's only try to provide a minor irritation for McNamara, who would otherwise be delighted with his side's latest build-up to the 2013 World Cup, admittedly against limited opposition.

France were without two of their most experienced forwards in Sebastien Raguin and Jamel Fakir, in addition to the retired David Ferriol, and they suffered a body blow with the loss of full-back Cyril Stacul with concussion just 14 minutes into the match.

The high tackle resulted in second rower Gareth Ellis being put on report by New Zealand referee Shane Rehm and he must wait to discover if he will face any further disciplinary action.

The visitors, who had four forwards on the bench, were forced to re-shuffle their side, with chief playmaker Thomas Bosc switched to full-back, and it added to the size of their task.

It was largely routine for England from
the sixth minute when Watkins demonstrated his class, taking a pass from
Ellis – with whom he has already established a lively partnership – to
score the opening try.

On the charge: Kevin Sinfield beats the France defence to score

On the charge: Kevin Sinfield beats the France defence to score

Sinfield kicked the touchline conversion to make it 6-0 but England were then forced to show their mettle in defence, with Gregory Mounis forcing a drop-out and winger Damien Cardace tackled just short of the line.

However, their defence was not seriously tested again before half-time, with Sinfield's men running in three more tries to establish a 20-0 cushion.

Scrum-half Richie Myler stole the ball from French winger Clement Soubeyras to get Briscoe away for his first try and provided the final pass for Tomkins to go over for his first, while a strong run from Leroy Cudjoe set up the position for Watkins to grab his second try.

Stopped in his tracks: Ryan Hall is tackled by William Barthau

Stopped in his tracks: Ryan Hall is tackled by William Barthau

The only respite for the French came when Sinfield surprisingly missed two conversion attempts, but their defence cracked again within two minutes of the re-start when Adrian Morley's outrageous offload provided the space for Tomkins to score his second try.

Second rower Gareth Hock, England's man of the match who caused the French countless problems with his offloading game, worked Briscoe over for his second try on 48 minutes and Sinfield's fourth goal made it 32-0.

Les Tricolores responded valiantly despite losing Kevin Larroyer and Mounis with leg and arm injuries respectively, but England's defence held firm.

With the game won, McNamara could afford to take Tomkins off for the last 20 minutes and Sinfield stretched his side's lead by jinking his way over for a solo try on 67 minutes.

Outnumbered: Gareth Ellis comes up against four France defenders

Outnumbered: Gareth Ellis comes up against four France defenders

France grabbed a consolation try nine minutes from the end through Bentley, to which Bosc added the goal.

However, England had the final say when Watkins scored an interception try to complete his hat-trick, and Sinfield kicked his sixth goal from eight attempts to finish with 16 points.

Hull 46 Huddersfield 10: Jamie Foster reaches century of points

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Hull 46 Huddersfield 10: Foster helps set up second round Wolves play-off clash

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UPDATED:

21:06 GMT, 16 September 2012

Peter Gentle insisted his Hull team can reach Old Trafford and the Super League Grand Final after they demolished woeful Huddersfield.

On-loan winger Jamie Foster claimed 22 points from two tries and seven goals, but it was Hull’s defence that left the biggest impression.

Hull boss Gentle said: ‘I know what my players are capable of and when we play as a team we’re very good.

Easy: Hull were on top form to see off sorry Huddersfield

Easy: Hull were on top form to see off sorry Huddersfield

‘We’re not here to make up the numbers and we don’t consider ourselves to be a dark horse. We’re one of six teams left and there are now only three weeks to go.’

England winger Tom Briscoe collected an early double to give Hull a lead they never surrendered.

Huddersfield’s basic approach and a string of mishaps gave further encouragement to the hosts, who reached a 22-0 lead early in the second half when Foster claimed his brace. Liam Watts, Aaron Heremaia, Andy Lynch and Richard Horne scored Hull’s final tries, with Scott Grix and Eorl Crabtree touching down for the visitors.

Hull will travel to Warrington on Saturday, while Huddersfield’s year finished in such appalling style that coach Paul Anderson admitted his squad’s mental strength is well short.

Giants were top of the table after a third of the season, but just three wins from their last nine league games have highlighted their problems for a third successive year.

Anderson said: ‘We weren’t good enough. The most physical and aggressive team won.’

London 2012 Paralympics: Lord Coe hails David Weir

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Lord Coe hails the Weirwolf as marathon man makes for golden goodbye

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UPDATED:

22:00 GMT, 9 September 2012

Lord Coe hailed David Weir as ‘one of the greats’ after the wheelchair racer provided a fitting end to a glorious British summer of sport by winning his fourth gold medal of the London Paralympics.

Weir, known as the Weirwolf, added the marathon crown to his 800metres, 1500m and 5,000m titles, and equalled cyclist Sarah Storey’s haul of four golds in London.

Lord Coe said: ‘David has got that crucial aspect of winning when it really matters. That separates the good from the great and puts David among the great. He’s certainly in the top five.

Marathon man: David Weir pulled clear at the last to win his fourth gold of the Paralympic Games

Marathon man: David Weir pulled clear at the last to win his fourth gold of the Paralympic Games

Just reward: After his triumph, Weir was given the honour of being the Para GB flag bearer

Just reward: After his triumph, Weir was given the honour of being the Para GB flag bearer

‘It’s a pretty exceptional range of
distances. What I’ve witnessed in the stadium over the past week and a
half was just supreme. Today was the cherry on the cake.’

Weir, 33, added: ‘That was the
toughest I’ve ever raced in my life, but the crowds were awesome. I’ve
never seen that before for the whole race. My body was tingling. I
trained for all four events, but you can’t train for the emotions. I’ve
never done so many races before.’

Weir’s success brought Paralympics
GB’s gold medal haul to 34. There was a silver for Shelly Wood in the
women’s event, Paralympics GB’s 120th medal of the Games.

Impressed: Lord Sebastian Coe was bowled over by the brilliance of David Weir

Impressed: Lord Sebastian Coe was bowled over by the brilliance of David Weir

The hosts smashed their target of 103
medals but failed to match the 42 golds they won in Beijing, meaning
Britain were third in the medals table behind China and Russia.

Deputy chef de mission Penny Briscoe
said: We’ve seen the return of USA and Australia as forces in Paralympic
sport and the continued rise of Russia and Ukraine but we’ve stood
toe-to-toe with all those nations.

‘We’ve been part of the most successful Games ever as world standards have risen in ways we would never have imagined.’

Hull FC 34 Salford Reds 26

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Hull FC 34 Salford Reds 26: Too little too late as Reds suffer play-off blow

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UPDATED:

16:39 GMT, 29 July 2012

Salford Reds' play-off aspirations suffered a blow as Hull FC held off their stirring comeback at the KC Stadium to edge a close encounter 34-26.

Jordan Turner's late try for Hull against his former club finally settled a game which hung in the balance after the Reds threatened to upset the hosts with two tries for Sean Gleeson and Ashley Gibson.

A missed Daniel Holdsworth conversion with 10 minutes remaining left Hull defending a slender two-point lead until Turner's late score gave the home side the two points which keeps them sixth in the Stobart Super League table.

The Reds remain 10th – four points from the play-offs.

Hull coach Peter Gentle had spoken of his side's need to get to grips early on with Super League's fast starters.

Salford have developed a successful habit of scoring early tries this year, but it was the hosts who raced into a 12-point lead thanks to the efforts of one of their rising stars.

Tom Lineham got his first taste of Super League in last Monday's televised Hull derby and, following his second-half cameo in the hostile environment of Craven Park, the 20-year-old revelled in being on home turf for the first time as he was handed a first start for Hull.

Within six minutes of kick-off, talk of Hull having found a new Tom Briscoe was already echoing around the KC as Lineham set Hull on their way with a well-taken first try before braking 60 metres down field to set up a second try of the afternoon for Hull, Kirk Yeaman this time the scorer.

Salford were shocked into life and, after being caught by their own game, the Reds came back into the match through Ashley Gibson's well-worked try in the corner.

The centre's pace and power took him over the try line and sparked a period of dominance by the visitors, who made their territorial possession count minutes later when Jodie Broughton avenged an earlier error to go over unopposed in the corner to complete a flowing move out wide.

Salford's moment in the sun did not last long, however, and Lineham again set Hull on their way.

It was the winger's break which set up field position for Joe Westerman to break the Reds' defensive line and score.

Lineham completed a half to remember on the half-time hooter, leaving Broughton flat-footed as he dived over in the corner to give his side a 12-point half-time advantage.

The game became fractured in the second half, but Hull took the opportunity to go three tries clear with a simple penalty conversion for on-loan St Helens winger Jamie Foster.

That decision looked even wiser when Gleeson, who next year will wear the red and white of Hull KR, exploited poor Hull defending to score approaching the final quarter.

The Reds senses a comeback and it looked on when they capitalised on Hull's ill discipline through a second try for Gibson.

Daniel Holdsworth's missed conversion left Salford four points behind, but the visitors remained on top.

Hull were then thankful when another Salford infringement, this time for holding down, allowed Foster to kick a penalty from in front of the posts.

The Reds continued to press, and got their rewards when Gleeson touched down by the corner flag on the break.

Holdsworth had a chance to level the game but hooked his touchline conversion as Hull breathed a sigh of relief.

The visitors continued to mount a serious challenge but with the clock ticking down, ex-Salford player Turner popped up five metres out to take an off-load and seal the points for Hull.

Salford 8 Widnes 46: Hanbury on song as Vikings stun Reds

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Salford 8 Widnes 46: Hanbury on song as Vikings stun Reds

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UPDATED:

21:45 GMT, 20 July 2012

Salford's hopes of a top eight finish
in Super League suffered a massive setback as Widnes ran in eight tries
in an emphatic win.

Scrum-half Rhys Hanbury was the star
of the show with two tries and eight goals, while Patrick Ah Van and
Cameron Phelps also bagged two tries each for the rampant Vikings.

Widnes, hammered 38-18 at home by Salford in February, went into the clash in confident mood after a resounding 40-10 win over Castleford and a narrow one-point defeat by St Helens.

However, the Vikings were without skipper Jon Clarke, Paddy Flynn and Shaun Briscoe although Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor and Ah Van had all recovered from knocks.

The Reds were also buoyed by successive victories against Warrington and Hull KR and decided to delay the debut of 35-year-old assistant coach Sean Long, who was registered as a player with the club this week.

Youngster Mark Sneyd continued at scrum-half alongside Exiles star Daniel Holdsworth after Matty Smith's move to Wigan, with Sean Gleeson back in the centre.

Ashley Gibson kept his place after the late withdrawal of Joel Moon and the Reds clearly missed his power in midfield.

Widnes had an early Hep Cahill try disallowed by referee James Child for an infringement in the build-up and then Paul McShane was held up over the line.

It was a bright start by the Vikings but Salford should have scored when Hanbury lost possession and Vinnie Anderson and Holdsworth broke clear.

A niggly opening kept the officials busy with desperate Salford defence again denying Marsh when he looked a certain scorer.

Widnes were rewarded for their perseverance when John Kite's charge set up the chance for Hanbury to send Phelps bursting through Lee Jewitt's tackle after 24 minutes.

Hanbury booted the conversion and Widnes went further ahead three minutes later when Phelps' pass took a deflection from a defender before Ah Van touched down in the corner.

Hanbury kicked the goal off the touchline to make it 12-0 as Salford struggled to reproduce recent form.

The Vikings added a third try four minutes before the break when Ah Van latched on to a McShane kick to cross, with Hanbury's conversion stretching the lead to 18-0.

Hanbury then piled on the agony for Salford with a scorching burst to score, and his fourth goal made it 24-0 at the interval.

Salford were hammered 10-3 in the first-half penalty count but should have scored early in the second half before Jordan James threw away a chance after a strong burst by Iafeta Paleaasesina.

It was no surprise when McShane burrowed over from dummy half to extend the lead to 30-0.

The Vikings suffered a blow with the departure of Eamon Carroll with an arm injury but Widnes were ripping apart Salford in midfield and another Hanbury burst sent Phelps over for his second try.

Hanbury bagged his second touchdown with another sizzling effort to stretch the advantage to 40-0.

Gibson went over for Salford after 58 minutes before Danny Williams took his try tally to seven in four games to give the home fans something to cheer.

However, Danny Craven sealed the win for the Vikings by intercepting a Sneyd pass to record the eighth try six minutes from time.

Warrington 40 Hull 18: Match report

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Warrington 40 Hull 18: Atkins hat-trick boosts high-flying Wolves

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UPDATED:

16:21 GMT, 24 June 2012

A hat-trick of tries from England centre Ryan Atkins helped Warrington to victory over Hull following a commanding second-half display to keep the pressure on Stobart Super League leaders Wigan.

In front of watching England boss Steve McNamara, Atkins produced a superb all-round performance to help his side cut Wigan's lead at the top to just a point before the Warriors meet Widnes on Monday night.

Atkins claimed two tries in an evenly contested first half which saw the sides level at 18-18 at half time but his third try of the afternoon was the gamebreaker.

No way through Hull FC's Martin Aspinwall (second right) on the charge

No way through Hull FC's Martin Aspinwall (second right) on the charge

With the Wolves holding a six point
advantage at 24-18 and Hull down to 12-men after the sin-binning of
Willie Manu, Atkins showed tremendous power and pace to race 30 metres
to score a superb individual try.

The Wolves scored 22 unanswered
points in the second half with further tries from Lee Briers, Garreth
Carvell and Joel Monaghan to add to first-half efforts from Chris Riley
and two from Atkins while Gareth O'Brien landed six conversions from
seven attempts.

Hull grabbed tries through Kirk Yeaman, Manu and Joe Westerman and three goals from Danny Tickle in defeat.

It was the visitors who were quickest
out of the blocks, however, as they stunned the home side with two
tries in the opening eight minutes in a superb opening.

Firstly a wonderful overhead pass from Manu allowed Yeaman to score the opening try of the game after six minutes.

Then two minutes later Yeaman turned
provider as he released Tom Briscoe down the left wing and his inside
pass allowed Manu to touch down to which Tickle converted to give Hull
an early 10-0 advantage.

Warrington crossed for their first
try of the game two minutes later as Carvell charged down Brett
Seymour's kick and Atkins scooped up the loose ball to race clear to
score, with O'Brien converting.

But Hull then increased their lead as
Richard Horne's pass sent Westerman into space and the Hull loose
forward skipped out of a couple of attempted tackles to dive over.

But two tries in three minutes from the Wolves edged the home side in front late in the half.

An Atkins pass allowed Riley to
squeeze over in the corner for a well taken try from the winger and
three minutes later Briers and O' Brien combined to send Atkins over for
his second try of the game.

O'Brien landed both conversions to edge Warrington in front at 18-16.
But in the final seconds of the half
Warrington were penalised for offside and Tickle booted over the
resulting penalty to level matters at 18-18 at half time.

It was the home side who claimed the
vital first try of the second half when 10 minutes after the restart it
was Briers who threw an outrageous dummy and managed to scramble over to
the left the posts to which O'Brien again converted.

Hull's cause wasn't helped when Manu
was sent to the sin-bin for interference after his Hull side had been
given a warning from referee Ben Thaler.

And the Wolves scored two tries in
his absence to seal the win as Atkins claimed his hat-trick try and
Carvell also touched down against his former club.

Warrington put the seal on what was a
convincing victory in the end as Chris Bridge sent Monaghan over for a
try eight minutes from time.

Huddersfield 12 Wigan 32

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Huddersfield 12 Wigan 32: Warriors topple Giants to take Super League top spot

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UPDATED:

23:59 GMT, 18 May 2012

Three tries in eight minutes midway through the second half put Wigan two points clear at the top of Super League and posed serious questions about Huddersfield’s title ambitions.

Greg Eden had briefly levelled the scores at 12-12, but George Carmont’s double sandwiched Liam Farrell’s close-range effort in an impressive match-winning spell for the visitors.

Winning feeling: Wigan celebrate after edging out Huddersfield

Winning feeling: Wigan celebrate after edging out Huddersfield

WEEKEND PREVIEW

HULL KR v CASTLEFORD Sunday, Craven Park, 3pm

Rovers arewithout Jake Webster (double hernia) for a ninth successive game. Tigers’ Man of Steel Rangi Chase serves his final match of athree-week ban.

Prediction: Away win

LONDON v HULL FC Sunday, Priestfield Stadium, 2pm

Broncosare under huge pressure after chairman David Hughes this week launched a reviewinto the side’s poor performances. Joe Westerman could feature for Hull afterrecovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Prediction: Away win

WAKEFIELD v WARRINGTON Sunday, Belle Vue, 3.30pm

FormerLeeds and New Zealand forward Ali Lauitiiti returns for Wakefield. Warrington include Stefan Ratchford.

Prediction: Away win

WIDNES v CATALAN Sunday, Stobart Stadium, 3pm

Wiganhalf-back Joe Mellor starts a month-long loan at Widnes, but Shaun Briscoe(groin) is ruled out. Catalan are aiming to bounce back from last week’sChallenge Cup defeat.

Prediction: Away win

'We scored some great tries,' said Wigan coach Shaun Wane. 'To score seven tries against a team like Huddersfield, who I’m a big admirer of, I’m fairly satisfied.

'They asked us some questions in the first half and they were always going to do that, they’ve got some great players. The desire we showed to support each other was fantastic.'

Jeff Lima’s last-minute try added the finishing touches to a win that leaves Huddersfield’s big-match ability in doubt. They reached the Challenge Cup final in 2009, but have since lost in successive play-off campaigns without making any real impact. Only wins in games like this will engender a belief that the Giants are capable of making a first Grand Final appearance.

They started well enough, with hooker Luke Robinson spotting a gap on the blind side before quick hands from Leroy Cudjoe gave Jermaine McGillvary enough space to slide over.

But the Warriors hit back with three tries before half-time.

Smart passes from Darrell Goulding twice sent Josh Charnley over, either side of a try from Sam Tomkins after brilliant footwork.

Only Charnley’s three conversion misses left Huddersfield with any hope at the break. Eden’s score boosted the hosts, but Wigan pulled clear.

Giants coach Nathan Brown admitted: 'They were too good for us. They’re a very good team and they were better than us in a couple of key areas.'

Hull 16 Huddersfield 42: Super League leaders mount second-half fightback

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Hull 16 Huddersfield 42: Super League leaders mount second-half fightback

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UPDATED:

16:45 GMT, 15 April 2012

Huddersfield came from 14-0 down to sweep aside injury-hit Hull with a dominant second-half display and book their place in the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The Giants' exciting outside backs did the damage, scoring six of their eight tries, the pick of them an 80-metre individual effort from Leroy Cudjoe that put them in front for the first time on 54 minutes.

There was a touch of deja vu for Hull, who seven days earlier had led after an hour of the Super League match between the two teams at the Galpharm Stadium before conceding three late tries to go down 22-4.

Giants comeback: Luke George goes over for Huddersfield's first try

Giants comeback: Luke George goes over for Huddersfield's first try

Huddersfield's greater strength in depth was once more a crucial factor as they ran in seven tries in a one-sided second half at the KC Stadium.

Hull were forced to give a debut to three-quarter Ben Crooks, the 18-year-old son of former Hull and Great Britain forward Lee Crooks, in the absence of nine first teamers and had a third-choice full-back in Reece Lyne.

Tongan prop Sam Moa showed some nice touches on his return from compassionate leave while England winger Tom Briscoe came up with a couple of early runs to demonstrate Hull's danger.

It was Briscoe who opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game, finishing off a neat crossfield move to touch down at the corner.

Huddersfield defended stoutly in the middle but were exposed on the flanks a second time on 23 minutes when centre Jordan Turner once more got Briscoe racing over at the corner.

Danny Tickle kicked both difficult conversions and extended his side's lead to 14-0 with a penalty before Huddersfield pulled a try back a minute before the interval.

A handling error by scrum-half Brett Seymour put the visitors into a perfect attacking position and winger Luke George took Kevin Brown's long pass to cross for his 11th try of the season.

Danny Brough's touchline conversion cut the gap to eight points and it was down to four within two minutes of the re-start when George raced over for his second of the match.

Tickle kicked a second penalty from a brief foray into the Huddersfield 20-metre area and Briscoe went within inches of completing his hat-trick but the momentum was firmly with the Giants in the second half.

Exciting full-back Greg Eden was put through a gap by Brough and had the pace to see off the cover as he crossed at the corner and Huddersfield eventually went in front thanks to Cudjoe's spectacular long-range solo effort.

With the visitors' confidence on the rise, skipper Kevin Brown then carved out an opening for centre Joe Wardle to go 60 metres for a score and Cudjoe added his second on the hour.

As Hull chanced their arm with the game slipping away from them, Huddersfield punished them further with hooker Luke Robinson and second rower Jason Chan adding tries and Brough taking his goal tally to five.

St Helens 10 Hull 22

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St Helens 10 Hull 22: Black and Whites fight back to pile misery on Saints

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UPDATED:

22:58 GMT, 9 March 2012

Hull came from behind to consign St Helens to their fourth game without a win.

The Black and Whites produced a resilient performance to keep chipping away at a Saints side low on confidence, if not commitment.

Saints had led 10-4 and appeared in control until the game turned when Jordan Turner raced the length of the field from a sloppy Josh Perry pass.

Going nowhere: St Helens' Anthony Laffranchi tackles Hull FC's Tom Briscoe

Going nowhere: St Helens' Anthony Laffranchi tackles Hull FC's Tom Briscoe

Three Danny Tickle penalties had more or less clinched it for Hull before Wade McKinnon nipped on to a Richard Horne grubber to twist the knife, and send the Saints fans in the 14,875 crowd home unhappy.

Saints got off to an awful start when the Hull kick-off was left by Lee Gaskell and bounced through the fingers of a surprised Tony Puletua to gift the visitors a period of early pressure.

Hull forced a repeat set from a smart kick from Brett Seymour, but the resolute home defence stood firm.

Saints took play downfield and had an early chance to open their account when Jonny Lomax dabbed through a fine attacking grubber, which just evaded the grasp of the supporting prop Anthony Laffranchi.

Both sides tested each other out with long raking kicks on both sides making both teams bring the ball from deep.

The game remained scoreless until the 22nd minute when, after Tickle had been penalised for a heavy challenge on Sia Soliola, Saints made their good position tell.

The ball was flashed right, with Lomax, Lance Hohaia and Michael Shenton releasing wing Ade Gardner who had two men to beat on the line, but went head first to touch the ball down.

Jamie Foster, back in the side after being dropped last week, just drifted his touchline conversion attempt to the left of the uprights.

Hull hit back on the half-hour mark when a sizzling solo effort from full-back McKinnon left the Saints defence clutching thin air on his dummying and stepping run to the line.

Tickle missed the conversion and there was no further score with the teams going in level at the break.

Saints were first on the scoresheet six minutes after the restart when big man Puletua dummied and turned to stretch over for a try goaled by Foster.

Saints seemed to have the game in control and were playing a patient brand of football until Perry's attempted flick pass went to ground and was snapped up by speedster Turner, who raced 80 metres to touch down.

Tickle's touchline conversion just about scraped over and then 15 minutes from time he gave Hull the lead for the first time when he slotted a 30-metre penalty to make it 12-10.

Hull had the game by the scruff of the neck, and forced another repeat through a smart kick. The pressure told and Saints gave away another penalty within Tickle's range to put the visitors four points up with 10 minutes to play.

And Tickle's boot made the game safe with another penalty – this time for obstruction – four minutes from time.

The game was already sewn up when McKinnon added the final touch.