Brown dazzles to leave Rovers chasing shadows

Huddersfield 40 Hull KR 1

Huddersfield have made something of a speciality of the Challenge Cup during their resurgence of recent years and they showed no signs of relinquishing their interest in this year's competition against the disappointing Rovers.

This game was won by half-time, with Kevin Brown the stand-out among the players who had too much wit and invention for the Robins. Without getting carried away, his coach and namesake, Nathan Brown, suggested that he would not look out of place in an England shirt.

Rovers' Justin Morgan went a little further. "I think he's a fantastic half-back," he said. "What I love about him is that he carries the ball to the line. He's become a real thinking footballer."

A messy first 10 minutes was mainly notable for Rovers twice failing to deal with kicks, from Brett Hodgson and Danny Brough, but getting away with it. It was a sign of things to come, as the Giants were to prove to have far too many kicking and running options for their opponents.

After Joel Clinton's knock-on over the try-line cost Rovers their best chance, they were simply swept away. The first try came from Brown's kick, won by Leroy Cudjoe's leap on the right touchline and palmed back for Jamahl Lolesi to touch down.

Huddersfield ran the ball on the last tackle of a set for the second, Brough finding David Fa'alogo, who showed the ball to the outside but straightened up to score.

Wonderful interplay between Brown and Luke Robinson, followed by David Faiumu's break, set up Robinson for the third and the Robins looked a well-beaten team by the time Brown, playing with particular assurance, gave David Hodgson a stroll to the line with a perfectly judged pass.

The Giants also started the second half in untidy fashion and this time they were punished when Clint Newton dunked a basketball pass into the arms of Jake Webster.

Any hopes of a fightback were quickly snuffed out, however, when Brough intercepted Ben Galea's pass to go 60 metres for the killer try.

Shaun Briscoe somehow got to Scott Murrell's kick just before the dead-ball line to get one back for Rovers, but the Giants finished with a flourish.

Fa'alogo, who was described by his coach as too good to be playing in Super League, claimed his second and Martin Aspinwall rounded it off, with Brett Hodgson adding his sixth goal.

Huddersfield: B.Hodgson; Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whatuira, D.Hodgson; Brown, Brough; Mason, Robinson, Griffin, Gilmour, Fa'alogo, Aspinwall. Substitutes used: Crabtree, Lunt, Raleigh, Faiumu.

Hull KR: Briscoe; Fox, Welham, Webster, Cockayne; I'Anson, Dobson; Vella, Murrell, Clinton, Newton, Netherton, Galea.

Substitutes used: Watts, Lovegrove, Fisher, Cook.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).