Super League: Leeds Rhinos 18-25 Huddersfield Giants

Adam O'Brien scored a second-half try to put Giants in front, with Oliver Russell landing the goal

Academy product Oliver Russell stepped up in the absence of suspended Danny Brough to steer Huddersfield to victory over reigning champions Leeds.

Russell's nine-point haul, including a drop-goal out of the Brough textbook, helped Simon Woolford's side to a fifth win in six games.

Leeds, who were outscored four tries to three, were dealt a further blow by a head injury to prop Mikolaj Oledzki.

Giants, in eighth, move within two points of the seventh-placed Rhinos.

Woolford's arrival, coupled with the interim stewardship of Chris Thorman, has coincided with a turnaround in form for the Claret and Gold; but conversely Leeds - who also saw Richie Myler and Jordan Lilley depart with injuries - are now on a run of four league games without a win.

• Warrington Wolves 30-34 Castleford Tigers

• St Helens 26-4 Hull KR

• Hull 45-14 Salford

Last week's disappointing Challenge Cup exit by Catalans was put to one side as the Giants started with intent, Kruise Leeming scampering in to open up a lead.

His opposite number Matt Parcell, and then half-back Myler overturned the Rhinos' deficit to turn the momentum of the game but further scores by Aaron Murphy - again operating in the pack - and back-row partner Alex Mellor set up a half-time lead.

As well as acting captain Stevie Ward being assessed for concussion after clashing heads with Oledzki, the prop's departure to hospital, which led to a long stoppage, was a further sour note for Brian McDermott's side.

Leeds composed themselves immediately after the break when Cameron Smith tracked a kick to level up after Lilley's goal. However, Adam O'Brien scored to restore the lead and, after 20-year-old Russell's one-pointer made it a two-score lead, the Giants clung on to secure the points.

Russell, son of former Oldham and Wigan hooker Richard Russell, was drafted in for only his second Super League appearance in the suspended Brough's absence.

Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott:

"Mikolaj didn't look good. He's got some sort of injury to his neck. That's as much as I can say. He's got some shots going down his arms and round his shoulders. I'm obviously trying to be positive but he's in the A&E.

"We've just got to get through it. There are some tangible reasons why it's not happening for us.

"I don't see a beaten group, I see a team that's losing games because we're missing too many people.

"We're up for the fight and to keep Huddersfield at bay for long periods of the second half shows there is still a lot of fight in us."

Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford:

"Olly's a young kid but he's got the head of a 30-year-old. He led the team around. And his kicking was first class.

"I've been watching him train for five or six weeks and I had the utmost confidence he could do the job for us. He was fantastic.

"We kept turning up for each other defensively, we played a lot smarter tonight and were able to score some nice tries.

"We bombed a couple too, which we will have to have a look at but it was a massive step forward as far as our attack is concerned."

Leeds: Walker; Briscoe, L. Sutcliffe, Handley, Hall; Lilley, Myler; Cuthbertson, Parcell, Oledzki, Ferres, Ward, Walters.

Replacements: Delaney, Smith, Garbutt, Golding.

Huddersfield: Rankin; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Gaskell, McIntosh; Turner, Russell; Lawrence, Leeming, Clough, Mellor, Murphy, Hinchcliffe.

Replacements: Ikahihifo, Smith, O'Brien, English.

Referee: Liam Moore (RFL).