2011 Huddersfield Giants season
Encyclopedia
This article details the 2011
Huddersfield Giants
season, its 148th in the Rugby Football League, and it's 13th in Super League, this season saw the Fartowners finish in 4th place, which came at a disappointment, due to the nature of the season they had. The Claret and Gold were at top spot three times in the year, before a mid season slump caused them to drop down the table, and finish a respectable fourth, the significant achievement, was finishing above every other Yorkshire
team.
, then they came back to the Galpharm for Eorl Crabtree
's testimonial match against Hull KR, a experimental side beat the Robins 18-12. They then faced their toughest test, against St Helens
, winning against a relatively full-strength team.
The First Match of the campaign was against title rivals Warrington Wolves
who's signings included Joel Monaghan
, and Giants Man of Steel
and Captain, Brett Hodgson
. The Match was a fitting opening for the Wolves
, who were knocked out of the running for a historic double, by a length of the field effort from Leroy Cudjoe
in the Play-offs.
Huddersfield came out victors by 28-18. Then they traveled to Castleford, who were top of the table, in what was dubbed somewhat prematurely a 'Top of the Table' clash, a wet weather game slowed the Fartowners, who left Wheldon Road losers 12-18. In the first home game of the year, they faced Hull
in front of the Huddersfield Crowd - after an early shock, they ran out 20-10 winners.
March 2011
The Giants started March with a hard trip down to in-form Harlequins who were in the midst of their best start in their history. After another scrappy affair, the Giants finished the game 18-10 winners. They returned to Yorkshire to face rivals Bradford Bulls
at the Galpharm Stadium
. In a rout, the Bulls were beaten 50-16, with tries from Jermaine McGillvary
, Leroy Cudjoe
, David Fa'alogo
, Scott Grix
, new signing Dale Ferguson
, Graeme Horne
and Larne Patrick
and 7 goals from Danny Brough
.
In their biggest game yet, they faced a injury effected Wigan
, however after an impressive performance from Josh Charnley
and Sean O'Loughlin
, they lost 20-6. After this defeat, they traveled to Craven Park to face Hull KR.
After floodlight troubles threatened to harm the match, the visitors played some great Rugby, and won 38-16.
April 2011
The Claret and Gold started April hosting Wakefield Trinity
, a spirited performance by Wakefield against a much changed Fartown team saw Wakefield scare them, only leading 6-4 at Half-Time. By the end of the match, they led 34-10. Then they hosted the Warrington Wolves
again at the Galpharm, which after a superb performance, they ran out 29-10 winners. They then went to Headingley
, searching for their first ever win there in the Super League era. Over 3,000 fans turned out to see a historic victory, a heated affair, with 2 sending offs, a fight, and six Huddersfield tries, the game finished 38-6, and marked a new era in Huddersfield Giants
history. During the Easter Period, they started on a Tuesday night at home to Salford City Reds
, where despite the visiting side showing some clever and pretty rugby, they ended the game with a 52-22, picking up the 2 points. They then traveled to the South of France to face a excellent Catalans Dragons
side. After a Scott Dureau
drop goal, the Giants unluckily lost 13-12.
May 2011
The Giants played just two Super League
games during May. Returning for a Saturday Night 'Clash of the Titans' with St Helens
, the Giants won 40-18 against the Injury ravaged Saints side. After which they returned to the KC Stadium, they played Hull FC
on the same day as the 2011 League One Play-off Final, winning 34-20, with tries from Michael Lawrence
, Danny Brough
, Lee Gilmour
and a hat trick from veteran winger David Hodgson.
June 2011
Huddersfield started June at The Shay
, where the team would play until urgent pitch work would be completed at their home ground, The Galpharm Stadium
, with a game versus the Castleford Tigers
. The Tigers and the Giants both wore their predominantly white kit. The mix up was sorted when the Tigers wore a Halifax RLFC
old shirt. The Giants ran in eight tries in a 40-18 rout in front of a crowd of over 5,000. They then traveled to Wakefield Trinity
, where the home team upset the Top-4 Giants in a 13-10 win. At their second 'On the Road' game in Halifax, they beat Catalans 28-20 on Sky Television
, the highlight of the match being a Damien Blanch
try for the visitors. The Giants ended the month at Wigan in a match labelled 'The Big One' with a huge ticketing push from both teams attracted a 19,169 crowd to the DW Stadium, the Giants were outplayed, and Wigan won easily 46-12, with Hodgson and Kirmond getting the only tries.
July 2011
The Start of July was the end of the Giants time at The Shay
, where the played Crusaders, in front of their smallest crowd of the year, 4,892. With 12 points to the Debuting Gregg McNally, the Giants beat the Bottom of the Table Crusaders
40-12. They then went to the Halliwell Jones Stadium
to visit Warrington Wolves
, who wanted revenge after losing the last 3 against the Giants, after being behind 22-0 at half time, found hard, but fell short. After this they faced what must be the most disappointing result of the year, a 36-0 humiliation by the Bradford Bulls. The Giants returned to the Galpharm Stadium
with a homecoming victory, in the last game of July, they beat Hull KR and made 4th spot a little safer again.
August 2011
Pulling towards the 'Business End' of the Season, the Giants faced St. Helens in [Widnes]'s Halton Stadium
, Saints temporary home. They outplayed the Giants, who never looked like threatening. In a close fought match, the Giants still lost out 19-6, Foster kicking 3. They then traveled to the Willows, expecting a victory, but in a disappointing turn of events, lost out 24-18. Huddersfield had won just 4 in 10.
September 2011
In the last two games pulling towards the play-offs, the Giants hosted two very different sides, Harlequins had looked good early on, but since the last time the two sides met, they had slumped, and would have been bottom, if not for points deductions to Wakefield Trinity
and Crusaders
. The Giants however pulled out all the stops, and hammered the enthusiastic, but ultimately unsuccessful Quins side. They then hosted Leeds Rhinos
, in a match dubbed 'the Battle of Yorkshire', although Huddersfield had already secured 4th spot, ahead of the Loiners. In a tight affair, Leeds beat the confident Giants side, looking to do a double, by 7 points, 24-31.
Play-offs
In the first week of the play-offs, without Leroy Cudjoe
, Shaun Lunt
and Joe Wardle
, the Giants were hammered by an excellent Warrington Wolves
side, although the refereeing of Steve Ganson
was called into question, with Nathan Brown
, Huddersfield's Coach, saying '[Ganson] obviously got the game wrong the other day'. The Giants then hosted the Leeds Rhinos.
Super League XVI
The 2011 Super League season was the sixteenth season of rugby league football since the Super League format was introduced in 1996...
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
season, its 148th in the Rugby Football League, and it's 13th in Super League, this season saw the Fartowners finish in 4th place, which came at a disappointment, due to the nature of the season they had. The Claret and Gold were at top spot three times in the year, before a mid season slump caused them to drop down the table, and finish a respectable fourth, the significant achievement, was finishing above every other Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
team.
Pre-Season
The Giants Started preseason with a 30-18 loss to Batley BulldogsBatley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
, then they came back to the Galpharm for Eorl Crabtree
Eorl Crabtree
Eorl Crabtree is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League. An England international representative prop forward, he has played his entire career to date at Huddersfield.-Biography:...
's testimonial match against Hull KR, a experimental side beat the Robins 18-12. They then faced their toughest test, against St Helens
St Helens
-Places:Australia* St Helens, Tasmania** St Helens Airport** St Helens Important Bird Area* St Helens Island, TasmaniaUnited Kingdom* St Helens, Merseyside, England** Metropolitan Borough of St Helens** St Helens Central railway station...
, winning against a relatively full-strength team.
| Competition | Round | Opponent | Result | Score | Home/Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly | Batley Batley Bulldogs Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895... |
Loss | 30-18 | Away | Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant - Australia :* Mount Pleasant * Mount Pleasant, New South Wales* Mount Pleasant * Mount Pleasant, South Australia* Mount Pleasant, Western Australia* Mount Pleasant, Victoria- Canada :... |
|
| Friendly |  Hull KR |
Win | 18-12 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
|
| Friendly |  St Helens |
Win | Away | Halton Stadium Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
Season Results
| Competition | Round | Opponent | Result | Score | Home/Away | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super League XVI | 1 |  WarringtonWarrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
Win | 28-18 | Neutral | Millennium Stadium Millennium Stadium The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage... |
30,329 |
| Super League XVI | 2 |  CastlefordCastleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
Loss | 18-12 | Away | Probitz Collesuem The Jungle (Wheldon Road) The Jungle is the former name of Wheldon Road, a stadium in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. This is the home of the Castleford Tigers rugby league team.... |
5,992 |
| Super League XVI | 3 |  Hull FCHull FC Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition... |
Win | 20-10 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
8,822 |
| Super League XVI | 4 |  Harlequins |
Win | 18-10 | Away | The Stoop The Stoop Twickenham Stoop is a sports stadium located in the western suburbs of London, England. The stadium is home to Harlequins rugby union team, who play in the Aviva Premiership, and tenants London Broncos, who play in the Super League... |
2,624 |
| Super League XVI | 5 |  Bradford BullsBradford Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897... |
Win | 50-16 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
9,466 |
| Super League XVI | 6 |  Wigan WarriorsWigan Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total... |
Loss | 20-6 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
8,151 |
| Super League XVI | 7 | Hull KR |
Win | 38-16 | Away | Craven Park | 7,502 |
| Super League XVI | 8 |  WakefieldWakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... |
Win | 34-10 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
7,267 |
| Super League XVI | 9 | Warrington |
Win | 29-10 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
7,224 |
| Super League XVI | 10 |  LeedsLeeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
Win | 38-6 | Home | Headingley Headingley Headingley is a suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road... |
14,768 |
| Super League XVI | 11 |  Crusaders RL |
Loss | 32-6 | Away | Racecourse Ground Racecourse Ground The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League... |
3,008 |
| Super League XVI | 12 |  SalfordSalford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... |
Win | 52-22 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
6,042 |
| Super League XVI | 13 |  Catalans DragonsCatalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
Loss | 13-12 | Away | Stade Gilbert Brutus Stade Gilbert Brutus Stade Gilbert Brutus is a rugby league stadium located in Perpignan, in the south of France. Even though the stadium currently has around 9,000 seats installed, it can accommodate around 1,000 fans more due to standing room... |
7,825 |
| Super League XVI | 14 | St Helens |
Win | 40-18 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
7,843 |
| Super League XVI | 15 | Hull FC Hull FC Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition... |
Win | 34-20 | Away | KC Stadium KC Stadium The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,... |
11,274 |
| Super League XVI | 16 | Castleford Castleford Tigers Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'... |
Win | 40-18 | Home* | The Shay The Shay The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay.... |
5,237 |
| Super League XVI | 17 | Wakefield Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts... |
Loss | 40-18 | Away | Belle Vue Belle Vue (Wakefield) Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some... |
5,436 |
| Super League XVI | 18 | Catalans Dragons Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... |
Win | 28-20 | Home* | The Shay The Shay The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay.... |
5,132 |
| Super League XVI | 19 | Wigan Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011.... |
Loss | 46-12 | Away | DW Stadium | 19,169 |
| Super League XVI | 20 | Crusaders RL |
Win | 40-12 | Home* | The Shay The Shay The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay.... |
4,892 |
| Super League XVI | 21 | Warrington Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
Loss | 28-16 | Away | Halliwell Jones Stadium Halliwell Jones Stadium Halliwell Jones Stadium is a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England that is the home ground of Warrington Wolves. It has also staged Challenge Cup semi-finals, the European Nations Final and the National League Grand Finals' Day.... |
10,283 |
| Super League XVI | 22 | Bradford Bradford Bulls Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league.... |
Loss | 36-0 | Away | Odsal Stadium Odsal Stadium Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934... |
14,047 |
| Super League XVI | 23 | Hull KR |
Win | 46-26 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
4,892 |
| Super League XVI | 24 | St Helens |
Loss | 19-6 | Away | Halton Stadium Halton Stadium The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves... |
6,421 |
| Super League XVI | 25 | Salford Salford City Reds Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup... |
Loss | 24-18 | Away | The Willows The Willows The Willows is a town in Queensland, Australia. Situated in a region called the Gemfields, sapphires are mined extensively in the area. At the 2006 census, Willows Gemfields had a population of 103.-External links:**... |
3,458 |
| Super League XVI | 26 | Harlequins |
Won | 50-12 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
5,220 |
| Super League XVI | 27 | Leeds Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
Loss | 31-24 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
10,428 |
| Super League Playoffs | 1 | Warrington Warrington Wolves Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003.... |
Loss | 47-0 | Away | Halliwell Jones | 10,006 |
| Super League Playoffs | 2 | Leeds Leeds Rhinos Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League... |
Loss | 34-28 | Home | Galpharm Stadium Galpharm Stadium The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:... |
7,874 |
- Three home games played at The ShayThe ShayThe Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay....
in HalifaxHalifax, West YorkshireHalifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
Season review
February 2011The First Match of the campaign was against title rivals Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
who's signings included Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves in Super League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative three-quarter, he played for the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters...
, and Giants Man of Steel
Man of Steel
Man of Steel may refer to:* Superman, the comic book superhero, whom the nickname "The Man of Steel" commonly refers to** The Man of Steel , a six-issue comic book limited series about Superman released in 1986 by DC Comics...
and Captain, Brett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Super League...
. The Match was a fitting opening for the Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, who were knocked out of the running for a historic double, by a length of the field effort from Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Leroy attended Newsome High School and Sports College. Leroy's previous club is the Newsome Panthers...
in the Play-offs.
Huddersfield came out victors by 28-18. Then they traveled to Castleford, who were top of the table, in what was dubbed somewhat prematurely a 'Top of the Table' clash, a wet weather game slowed the Fartowners, who left Wheldon Road losers 12-18. In the first home game of the year, they faced Hull
Hull FC
Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition...
in front of the Huddersfield Crowd - after an early shock, they ran out 20-10 winners.
March 2011
The Giants started March with a hard trip down to in-form Harlequins who were in the midst of their best start in their history. After another scrappy affair, the Giants finished the game 18-10 winners. They returned to Yorkshire to face rivals Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
at the Galpharm Stadium
Galpharm Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:...
. In a rout, the Bulls were beaten 50-16, with tries from Jermaine McGillvary
Jermaine McGillvary
Jermaine McGillvary is a professional rugby league footballer, currently playing at Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. He is by preference a , but can also play at . McGillvary was sent out on loan to Batley Bulldogs for the 2009 Co-operative Championship, a season which saw him progress as a...
, Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Leroy attended Newsome High School and Sports College. Leroy's previous club is the Newsome Panthers...
, David Fa'alogo
David Fa'alogo
David Fa'alogo is a professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League, formerly contracted with the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
, Scott Grix
Scott Grix
Scott Grix is an Irish professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League. The Ireland national team captain, he played throughout the backline previously with Halifax , Doncaster, Limoux, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Centurions, Widnes and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats...
, new signing Dale Ferguson
Dale Ferguson
Dale Ferguson is an English professional rugby league footballer for Huddersfield Giants of Super League. A Scotland international representative loose or second-row forward, he previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats....
, Graeme Horne
Graeme Horne
Graeme Horne is a professional rugby league player with Huddersfield Giants. His preferred position is loose forward....
and Larne Patrick
Larne Patrick
Larne Patrick is a professional rugby league footballer currently playing for Huddersfield Giants in the European Super League. He is primarily a second rower but he can comfortably deputise at prop. Patrick joined the Giants from Manly based reserve-grade side Narrabeen Sharks in Australia after...
and 7 goals from Danny Brough
Danny Brough
Danny Brough is a Dewsbury born English international rugby league footballer.Danny Brough plays for the Huddersfield Giants in Super League. He has also played for the Scotland...
.
In their biggest game yet, they faced a injury effected Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
, however after an impressive performance from Josh Charnley
Josh Charnley
Josh Charnley is an English rugby league player who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League competition.Josh showed great promise on his debut against Leeds in 2010 for Hull KR and picked up the club man of the match award...
and Sean O'Loughlin
Sean O'Loughlin
Sean O'Loughlin is an English professional rugby league footballer who captains the Wigan Warriors of Europe's Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative , and /, he has played his entire career to date with Wigan, with whom he won the 2010 Super League XV...
, they lost 20-6. After this defeat, they traveled to Craven Park to face Hull KR.
After floodlight troubles threatened to harm the match, the visitors played some great Rugby, and won 38-16.
April 2011
The Claret and Gold started April hosting Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, a spirited performance by Wakefield against a much changed Fartown team saw Wakefield scare them, only leading 6-4 at Half-Time. By the end of the match, they led 34-10. Then they hosted the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
again at the Galpharm, which after a superb performance, they ran out 29-10 winners. They then went to Headingley
Headingley
Headingley is a suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road...
, searching for their first ever win there in the Super League era. Over 3,000 fans turned out to see a historic victory, a heated affair, with 2 sending offs, a fight, and six Huddersfield tries, the game finished 38-6, and marked a new era in Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
history. During the Easter Period, they started on a Tuesday night at home to Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, where despite the visiting side showing some clever and pretty rugby, they ended the game with a 52-22, picking up the 2 points. They then traveled to the South of France to face a excellent Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
side. After a Scott Dureau
Scott Dureau
Scott Dureau is an Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League. He previously played for the Newcastle Knights. His position of choice is halfback...
drop goal, the Giants unluckily lost 13-12.
May 2011
The Giants played just two Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
games during May. Returning for a Saturday Night 'Clash of the Titans' with St Helens
St Helens
-Places:Australia* St Helens, Tasmania** St Helens Airport** St Helens Important Bird Area* St Helens Island, TasmaniaUnited Kingdom* St Helens, Merseyside, England** Metropolitan Borough of St Helens** St Helens Central railway station...
, the Giants won 40-18 against the Injury ravaged Saints side. After which they returned to the KC Stadium, they played Hull FC
Hull FC
Hull Football Club, commonly referred to as Hull or Hull FC, is a professional rugby league football club established in 1865 and based in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The club plays in the Super League competition...
on the same day as the 2011 League One Play-off Final, winning 34-20, with tries from Michael Lawrence
Michael Lawrence
Michael Lawrence is an English writer for children and young adults. He is best known as the author of the Withern Rise trilogy and the Jiggy McCue books.- Biography :...
, Danny Brough
Danny Brough
Danny Brough is a Dewsbury born English international rugby league footballer.Danny Brough plays for the Huddersfield Giants in Super League. He has also played for the Scotland...
, Lee Gilmour
Lee Gilmour
Lee Gilmour is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays for Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Gilmour's usual position is , but he has played on the and in the s when a back-line player suffered an injury....
and a hat trick from veteran winger David Hodgson.
June 2011
Huddersfield started June at The Shay
The Shay
The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay....
, where the team would play until urgent pitch work would be completed at their home ground, The Galpharm Stadium
Galpharm Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:...
, with a game versus the Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
. The Tigers and the Giants both wore their predominantly white kit. The mix up was sorted when the Tigers wore a Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
old shirt. The Giants ran in eight tries in a 40-18 rout in front of a crowd of over 5,000. They then traveled to Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, where the home team upset the Top-4 Giants in a 13-10 win. At their second 'On the Road' game in Halifax, they beat Catalans 28-20 on Sky Television
Sky Television
Sky Television may refer to:*British Sky Broadcasting in the United Kingdom**Sky Digital , the television network run by BSkyB...
, the highlight of the match being a Damien Blanch
Damien Blanch
Damien Blanch is an Australian-born Irish international rugby league footballer for Super League club, Catalans DragonsBlanch's usual position is winger. He has previously played for Widnes Vikings, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats....
try for the visitors. The Giants ended the month at Wigan in a match labelled 'The Big One' with a huge ticketing push from both teams attracted a 19,169 crowd to the DW Stadium, the Giants were outplayed, and Wigan won easily 46-12, with Hodgson and Kirmond getting the only tries.
July 2011
The Start of July was the end of the Giants time at The Shay
The Shay
The Shay is a multi-use sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England near Shaw Hill. FC Halifax Town and Halifax both play their home games at the Shay....
, where the played Crusaders, in front of their smallest crowd of the year, 4,892. With 12 points to the Debuting Gregg McNally, the Giants beat the Bottom of the Table Crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
40-12. They then went to the Halliwell Jones Stadium
Halliwell Jones Stadium
Halliwell Jones Stadium is a rugby league stadium in Warrington, England that is the home ground of Warrington Wolves. It has also staged Challenge Cup semi-finals, the European Nations Final and the National League Grand Finals' Day....
to visit Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, who wanted revenge after losing the last 3 against the Giants, after being behind 22-0 at half time, found hard, but fell short. After this they faced what must be the most disappointing result of the year, a 36-0 humiliation by the Bradford Bulls. The Giants returned to the Galpharm Stadium
Galpharm Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The Stadium:...
with a homecoming victory, in the last game of July, they beat Hull KR and made 4th spot a little safer again.
August 2011
Pulling towards the 'Business End' of the Season, the Giants faced St. Helens in [Widnes]'s Halton Stadium
Halton Stadium
The Stobart Stadium Halton is a rugby league stadium in Widnes, England. The Widnes Vikings play their home games there as do Everton Reserves...
, Saints temporary home. They outplayed the Giants, who never looked like threatening. In a close fought match, the Giants still lost out 19-6, Foster kicking 3. They then traveled to the Willows, expecting a victory, but in a disappointing turn of events, lost out 24-18. Huddersfield had won just 4 in 10.
September 2011
In the last two games pulling towards the play-offs, the Giants hosted two very different sides, Harlequins had looked good early on, but since the last time the two sides met, they had slumped, and would have been bottom, if not for points deductions to Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
and Crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
. The Giants however pulled out all the stops, and hammered the enthusiastic, but ultimately unsuccessful Quins side. They then hosted Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, in a match dubbed 'the Battle of Yorkshire', although Huddersfield had already secured 4th spot, ahead of the Loiners. In a tight affair, Leeds beat the confident Giants side, looking to do a double, by 7 points, 24-31.
Play-offs
In the first week of the play-offs, without Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe
Leroy Cudjoe is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Leroy attended Newsome High School and Sports College. Leroy's previous club is the Newsome Panthers...
, Shaun Lunt
Shaun Lunt
Shaun Lunt is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League. A hooker, he has played his entire top-level career to date with Huddersfield....
and Joe Wardle
Joe Wardle
Joe Wardle is a professional rugby league player who is currently contracted to the Huddersfield Giants of Super League.Joe hails from the Ovenden district of Halifax and has come through the ranks at the Grattan Stadium after signing from Illingworth ARLFC. He has a fine turn of pace and a...
, the Giants were hammered by an excellent Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
side, although the refereeing of Steve Ganson
Steve Ganson
Steve Ganson is a rugby league referee. He is the second professional referee from the town as Premier League referee Chris Foy also hails from St Helens.- First games :...
was called into question, with Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown may refer to:* Nathan Brown , American religious leader* Nathan J. Brown , political scientist & academic...
, Huddersfield's Coach, saying '[Ganson] obviously got the game wrong the other day'. The Giants then hosted the Leeds Rhinos.