You are in > manchester.com  > News > Huddersfield claim playoff berth despite defeat

Rugby League

Huddersfield claim playoff berth despite defeat

16/09/2007

Huddersfield retained fifth place despite a 25-24 defeat to Hull Kingston Rovers at New Craven Park.

Paul Cooke sealed the win for Rovers with a late drop goal as they celebrated survival in their first Super League season.

The away side enjoyed the bulk of the play during the first half and claimed three tries though Paul Reilly, Chris Nero.

Reilly crossed the whitewash twice to give the Giants an early lead but the Robins bounced back with tries from Michael Vella and Chris Chester to keep the scores close at half-time.

Paul Jensen then scored two second-half tries as the Giants pulled away once more only for the Robins to produce a thrilling finish.

Ben Fisher scored a brace of tries before Cooke's drop goal won the game in the dying moments.

Huddersfield will now face Hull in their playoff eliminator while Bradford will take on Wigan.

Elsewhere the Catalan Dragons beat Harlequins RL 30-14 in a game that had no ramifications for the playoff positions.

Stacey Jones won his final game before retiring thanks to two tries each from Clint Greenshields and John Wilson.

Paul Sykes scored Quins' only try of the first half before the London side mounted a comeback in the second period.

Sykes scored his second and Tony Clubb weighed in with a try but five goals from Jones helped the Dragons claim the win.

The victory puts the Dragons one place above Hull KR in tenth position in the final Super League table while Harlequins finished ninth on 23 points.