SAINTS failed to bounce back from last week’s cup semi-final heartbreak as they slumped to a 16-12 defeat to the Huddersfield Giants in an error strewn game.

It was another horrendous start by Saints, who trailed 16-0 after 20 minutes as they looked to carry on from last Sunday, making numerous handling errors.

It took just four minutes for the visitors to capitalise as they moved the ball left for winger Darnell McIntosh to go over in acres of space. Danny Brough with the touchline goal.

On 10 minutes, the Giants were in again, as Alex Mellor strolled over after good hands near the line carved open the Saints defence.

The home fans started to get restless as Saints continued to make errors and look off the pace, epitomised as Ben Barba twice spilled Huddersfield kicks.

On the 20-minute mark it got worse, as McIntosh went over again in similar fashion as the ball was moved left in another set move to stretch the weak Saints defence.

In attack Saints looked to lack direction, getting caught on the last tackle and posing little threat to the Huddersfield line.

However, the hosts finally came to life just before the break as Fages found McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who put Lomax in space with Barba on the inside to race in to finally put Saints on the board.

Richardson with the easy kick for 16-6.

Looking livelier, Saints were unlucky as Lomax slipped after they pierced the Giants’ defence and the hosts went in 10 points behind at the break. 

It was an uneventful start to the second half before Saints echoed last Sunday with a brighter second half display.

Just short of the hour mark Luke Thomspon crashed over to bring Saints back to within four.

But that was the end of the scoring as the boot of Danny Brough kept Saints pinned back, often having to feed the scrum 10 metres from their own line.

Saints continued to press for a winner and enjoyed a period of pressure on the Giants line.

Their best chance saw Roby held just short by gallant Giants defence.

But good game management by the visitors continued to frustrate Saints who began to run out of time.

The night was summed up right at the end as Lomax’s pass found the touchline as Saints’ desperately kept the ball alive looking for an elusive winner.

Saints: Barba; Makinson; Costello; Percival; Swift; Lomax; Richardson; Amor; Roby; Thompson; Knowles; Taia; Wilkin

Subs: Fages; McCarthy-Scarsbrook; Douglas; Lees

Huddersfield: Rankin; McGillvary; Cudjoe; Turner; McIntosh; Gaskell, Brough; Matagi; O’Brien; Ta’ai; Mellor, Roberts; Ferguson

Subs: Hinchcliffe; Clough; Roche; English

Attendance: 8,979