Huddersfield a good catch as Trout bags brace – but it comes at a cost

Huddersfield were hitting their straps as Owen Trout bagged a brace to help the Giants win 26-16 at Salford – but it came at a cost.

The Giants lost key backs Will Pryce and Ashton Golding with injuries in the game.

Full-back Pryce went down in a heap with no-one around him as he tried to do one of his big trademark sidesteps. He was helped from the field just minutes in to the second half.

And utility back Golding was forced off in the latter stages of the game with what looked like a hamstring injury.

The two injuries are obviously blows to Huddersfield, but thankfully for them, they’ve got large squad with plenty of strength in depth, so they won’t have to look too far for adequate replacements.

Salford also suffered an injury blow, which came to Joe Burgess in the first half. The winger left the action whilst pointing to his ribs as he went down the tunnel.

Match report

It was Golding who opened the scoring after capitalising on a loose pass from Salford half-back Marc Sneyd.

Olly Russell extended Huddersfield’s lead with a penalty goal in the 25th minute before the in-form Shane Wright went over to bring Salford back in to the game.

Trout got his first in the 37th minute thanks to a lovely break from Kevin Naiqama. Russell’s conversion saw the Giants 14-6 to the good at half-time.

Matty Costello pulled one back for the Red Devils early in the second half before Russell kicked another penalty goal.

Trout got his second on the hour when he charged on to a superb short ball from prop Matty English, with Russell converting.

Chris McQueen secured the win for Huddersfield five minutes from time with a finish in the corner.

England international Kallum Watkins scored a consolation try for Salford in the final seconds, but it was the Giants who finished 26-16 winners after a strong display.

Salford: Brierley; Sio, Cross, Costello, Burgess; Croft, Sneyd; Dupree, Atkin, Ormondroyd, Watkins, Stone, Addy. Subs: Vuniyayawa, Dixon, Wright, Hellewell. 18th man: Longstaff.

Tries: Wright, Costello, Watkins Goals: Sneyd 2

Huddersfield: Pryce; Golding, Marsters, Naiqama, Halsall; Connor, Russell; Hill, Peats, English, McQueen, Rushton, Yates. Subs: Lolohea, Ikahihifo, Trout, Ashworth. 18th man: Cudjoe.

Tries: Golding, Trout (2), McQueen Goals: Russell 5

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