Castleford Tigers 19 Huddersfield Giants 31 - Brilliant Aidan Sezer helps Huddersfield Giants conquer out-of-sorts Castleford Tigers

Tigers led 10-0 and 19-12, but - inspired by the richly-talented scrum-half, Huddersfield scored 19 points in the final quarter to win it.

The 31-19 defeat was tough on Tigers who could not have given much more in difficult circumstances and had an outstanding performer in second-rower Mike McMeeken.

With their first-choice halves Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson both injured, along with third-choice Pete Mata’utia, Tigers were up against it, but they had a real go.

Gareth O’Brien, switched from full-back into the pivots, scoring 11 of their points, but Cas have lost the winning 
habit.

O’Brien grabbed the opener, after six minutes, when he weaved superbly around full-back Ashton Golding from Mike McMeeken’s clever offload.

He also converted and five minutes later Paul McShane worked a one-two with Nathan Massey and then slung out a long pass which Greg Eden finished at the corner.

That all came from a huge break upfield by Jesse Sene-Lefao, then - moments later - McShane landed a 40-20 and darted over the line from Liam Watts’ pass, but was penalised for obstruction.

Tigers were running hot, but O’Brien kicked out on the full from inside Tigers’ half and within five minutes Castleford were behind. A moment of magic from Sezer gave Giants a lift, the scrum-half picking out Jermaine McGillvary with an outstanding pass to the right wing.

Sezer added a touchline conversion and converted again after the impressive Jake Wardle stormed through Castleford’s defence after some quick ball movement from right to left.

Referee Liam Moore and video assistant Ben Thaler spotted Grant Millington was offside before touching down McShane’s kick, but game awareness from O’Brien ensured Castleford went in at the break with the narrowest of leads.

The stand-in stand-off squared matters with a penalty three minutes before half-time - following a good run from half-back partner Calum Turner - and then landed a smart drop goal in the next set.

Former Hull back Jack Sanderson was called into the team for his debut, becoming the 1,000th player to appear for Tigers, while Dan Fleming came in for his first game for Cas since 2013, having rejoined them from Halifax.

Sanderson’s try right at the start of the second half was a stunner.

Turner put up a poor kick, which turned into a good one courtesy of its bounce.

Eden picked up on the run and scythed into Giants territory, played a one-two with McMeeken - who offloaded brilliantly off the ground - and then provided the final pass for Sanderson.

That had Tigers coach Daryl Powell jumping to his feet in the stand and no wonder.

O’Brien couldn’t convert, but did edge Castleford two scores ahead with a penalty goal on 54 minutes.

Tigers were in control, but Sezer broke their hearts.

He landed a touchline conversion after Jermaine McGillvary pulled a try back at the start of the final quarter, levelled the scores with a drop goal 12 minutes from time and began and finished a move in the next set, which - once he had added the extras - gave Giants a six-point lead.

In the final seconds, Jordan Turner kicked across field for England winger McGillvary to complete his hat-trick and Sezer landed another touchline goal.

Castleford Tigers: Clare, Sanderson, Blair, Shenton, Eden, O’Brien, Turner, Watts, McShane, Griffin, Sene-Lefao, McMeeken, Massey. Subs Millington, O’Neill, Hepi. Unused Fleming.

Huddersfield Giants: Golding, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Jake Wardle, McIntosh, Turner, Sezer, Wilson, Holmes, Matagi, Edwards, McQueen, Lawrence. Subs Russell, Wood, Trout, Gavet.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).

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Laura Collins