While history was being made over the Pennines as the Wolves and Warriors battled it out in 3D for the first time, it was the Giants who were looking to forge their own historical achievement with the first league double over the Rhinos for fifty-one years.

Leeds lined up without Rob Burrow and Ryan Bailey, but the visitors were missing their soon to depart skipper and inspiration Brett Hodgson. It was fifth against sixth and we were looking for an improved performance after last weeks debacle at Craven Park.

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Wearing the, now famous, Blue & Pink shirts in memory of the late, great, John Holmes the Rhinos started the game defending the Carnegie Stand. Early exchanges for both side consisted of five drive and a kick with both looking to dislodge the ball in the tackle or force the error. Neither side made much ground or threatened the other line until the ninth minute when McGuire put up a bomb just before a late challenge from Darrell Griffin. Thaler, somewhat harshly, sent Griffin for a ten minute rest and Leeds moved the ball close from the penalty.

On the next set Ablett appeared to cross and ground the ball but Thaler was right in the spot and gave a Leeds knock-on. First game chance squandered and memories of last friday sickeningly came flooding back. Surely it wasn't going to be another one of those nights?

Five minutes later and nerves were calmed albeit from a lucky try.

Sinfield looked to put in a long pass right but Clarkson had made his run too early. Despite the ball travelling at speed it stuck to the youngsters hands and he went through a gap to score from twenty metres. Sinfield added the two and we were in the lead.

Try

Huddersfield, back to full complement, answered on twenty-four when a brilliant Robinson pass put Lunt through a gap on half-way. The Giants substitute then weaved his way to the line outpacing the Leeds defence. Despite him improving the angle Brough failed with the kick. Leeds were 6-4 in the lead, and would maintain that scoreline through a dull and error strewn last quarter hour. The half-time scoreline was just about fair and neither side looked to really want the game or the points. It wasn't the blood and thunder game we'd expected and there was plenty of room for second half improvement.

With the second half three minutes old the Rhinos started to self destruct.

A grubber on the last was shepherded touch in goal by Lee Smith and the touch judge indicated a twenty-metre tap which both sides went to execute. Thaler then notices a signal from the in-goal judge who has seen something that no-one else in the ground had, not even the Giants supporters gathered right next to the play. Thaler consulted and gave a try to Hodgson, Leeds players were almost as bemused as the SouthStand. Brough missed the kick but the Giants were 6-8 up.

Two minutes later and Leeds must have still been shocked from the first Hodgson try when he took his second, after what looked suspiciously like a knock-on was called play-on by Thaler. Brough goaled for once and now the Giants were getting away at 6-14.

On fifty-three, and with the Rhinos having noticibly stepped up a gear, we got back on the board. As Senior went for the line the ball was stripped by the Giants defence but went into the hands of Hall who came inside and dived over to score. Sinfield added the extras for 12-14. On fifty-eight Peacock was held down too long in the tackle (for once Thaler had spotted the deliberate Giants 'slow the play the ball down tactic) and Sinfield opted for the score levelling kick. We were at 14-14 and once again it was game on.

Try

With seven minutes left it looked like it was all over and the visitors had snatched it. Missed tackles by tiring Leeds defenders allowed Patrick to score a try from a nothing situations. Cudjoe kicked the extras for a six point lead for the visitors. The way we'd been playing it all looked as though it might have been too much. But we should know by now that this is a Rhinos side that 'never say die'.

On seventy-seven a Hall break down the left wing saw him put in a grubber kick as the covering defence came across. The kick worked brilliantly pulling the Gianst defence out of position and McGuire picked up the bouncing ball to score and be mobbed by his team-mates. Sinfield added the extras and once again we were all square, this time at 20-20. The draw was looking like a fair result but Leeds had different ideas and set about winning it.

Missed drop goal attempts from Sinfield (78 minutes) and Smith (79) both had the length but not the direction and when it looked like all hope was lost Peacock put in a massive effort to drive to the line and buy Sinfield just enough space to slot over the one-pointer.

As the Giants kicked-off the hooter sounded and Leeds took the tackle to take the game and snatch the win which had looked like a certain loss just seven minutes earlier.

This was another poor Leeds performance and I don't think that the lads will take very much satisfaction from the nature of the win, no matter how welcome the two points are. Lee Smith looked well below par (injured?) and made a couple of howlers in defence. We looked weak when Peacock was off the field and without Buderus distributing the ball we are half the side that we are when he is on.

We are still a long way from challengers for the Grand Final or the Challenge Cup, and it is worrying.

Next up is Salford at the Willows next sunday, now there is a banana skin that is plain to see, even from this distance.