Handley helps Leeds to comfortable win at Giants

Betfred Super League

Huddersfield (6) 6

Tries: McGowan Goals: Connor

Leeds (18) 34

Tries: Handley 2, Newman, Frawley, Croft, Miller Goals: Martin 5

Leeds Rhinos gave coach Brad Arthur his first victory in interim charge and boosted their flagging play-off hopes with a dominant win at Huddersfield Giants.

The Rhinos raced into a second-minute lead through Ash Handley's try before Aidan McGowan levelled the scores after mistakes in defence by the visitors.

The visitors turned the game in their favour with back-to-back tries just before the break from Harry Newman and Matt Frawley, although the latter's effort was controversial as Sam Lisone escaped punishment for a high elbow in a tackle with Olly Russell in the lead up.

Handley's diving finish in the corner, given by the video referee, gave them breathing room and Brodie Croft and Lachlan Miller both skipped by some tired challenges to wrap up the win.

Both teams ended the game with 12 men after Lisone and Adam Milner were sin-binned following a fracas in the aftermath of Miller's try.

Leeds are now two points behind sixth-placed Salford, albeit having played a game more than the Red Devils.

The game was preceded by a minute's applause for highly respected Sky Sports rugby league commentator Bill Arthur, who died on Thursday at the age of 68.

Ash Handley's double took his Super League try tally for the season to 14

Back-to-back scores take game away from Giants

Leeds made the perfect start when they forced the Giants into a goal-line drop-out 15 seconds in and Handley dotted down after getting up well to gather Frawley's high kick.

Huddersfield levelled the score after both Miller and Handley failed to deal with a Connor grubber kick and McGowan dived onto the loose ball.

Connor, making the 250th appearance of his career, then spilt a routine high kick to leave Newman with an easy try before the controversial moment that put the Rhinos in full control.

Lisone was put on report for his contact on Russell in the tackle but Frawley's try stood, much to the displeasure of the home crowd who were shown the challenge on the big screen.

Leeds dominated in all phases of the game and Handley's spectacular finish in the corner broke the last of the Giants' resistance before Croft and Miller helped themselves to late tries.

Defeat for interim Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson, on his 40th birthday, leaves their top six hopes all but over and they face a tough trip to leaders Wigan Warriors next week.

The Rhinos visit Salford a week on Saturday in a game that could go a long way to securing a play-off place for either side.

Post-match reaction

Interim Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson on Sam Lisone catching Olly Russell with an elbow: "He’s elbowed him straight in the face hasn’t he?

"I don’t know if it was a turning point. If I’m honest, I think the best team won. I don’t think we did enough.

"There’s no excuses from me regarding the game, but when one of your smaller lads gets whacked in the face, it’s never nice."

Leeds coach Brad Arthur: "I’m thrilled for the boys, obviously, and I’ve seen how happy they were after the game.

"I don’t think we were real smart at times, and I don’t think we executed great – we’re still a long way off where I’d like us to be – but I thought that we showed plenty of character.

"In terms of how we want to play, we built the game at the start and put a couple of tries on just before half-time. In the second half we built the game again and put a couple of tries on.

"For the style you want to try and play, you need to earn your right to play and earn your right for a win."

Huddersfield: Connor, Wallis, Halsall, Naiqama, McGowan, Lolohea, Clune, Hill, Milner, English, Bibby, Cudjoe, Rushton.

Interchanges: Golding, Russell, Rogers, Salabio.

Sin-bin: Milner (75).

Leeds: Miller, Handley, Newman, Momirovski, Edgell, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Eseh Jnr, McDonnell, Martin, Smith.

Interchanges: Ventley, O'Connor, Lisone, Donaldson.

Sin-bin: Lisone (75).

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.