Thorman in command as Wakefield tension rises

<preform>HUDDERSFIELD 40 </br> WAKEFIELD&#009;22</preform>

Only Bradford's second-half revival, which earned them a 25-25 draw against Widnes at Odsal, prevented Wakefield slipping into the relegation zone for the first time this season as, despite a fighting comeback from a slow start, they slipped to their sixth defeat in seven games yesterday.

Only Bradford's second-half revival, which earned them a 25-25 draw against Widnes at Odsal, prevented Wakefield slipping into the relegation zone for the first time this season as, despite a fighting comeback from a slow start, they slipped to their sixth defeat in seven games yesterday.

The Huddersfield stand-off Chris Thorman, who scored 22 points in his side's win at Belle Vue in March, was again in dominant form yesterday as the home team ruthlessly built a 28-0 lead after 31 minutes.

Eorl Crabtree, an impressive front-rower, barged over for the opening try and Paul March's cleverly disguised kick created the second for the supporting Paul Reilly. Thorman confidently took on the close-range defence for a third and Chris Nero sliced over on the left as the Giants, with Thorman augmenting all four tries and adding two penalties, built a seemingly impregnable position.

But Wakefield mounted an unlikely revival with three tries in seven minutes either side of half-time, Ben Jeffries cutting over on the angle from Jamie Rooney's slick pass before Rooney's short kick created a second for Duncan MacGillivray. Then Sam Obst, a lively substitute, touched down Colum Halpenny's bouncing kick.

Huddersfield, increasingly rattled, were grateful for another Thorman penalty, though when Obst's run and offload created Jeffries' second try the visitors had cut the deficit to just eight points with 25 minutes remaining. But, just in time, Huddersfield strengthened their defensive resolve and sealed victory when March sent the substitute Paul White scorching 60 metres for a try five minutes from time. Thorman then sent Nero over for his second before failing at goal for the first time as he finished with a 20-point personal haul.

"You can't give 28 points in this competition and expect to pull it back," said Shane McNally, the Wakefield coach. "The pressure has been on us all year with two teams being relegated but it's really on now."

Huddersfield's first win in four games re-ignited their play-off challenge. Their coach, Jon Sharp, said: "We have played well against some good sides recently and made a statement early on we were ready to play. Then we maintained our composure when there could have been some anxiety in the game."

Huddersfield: Reilly; St Hilaire, Evans, Nero, Donlan; Thorman, P March; Crabtree, Drew, Gannon, Grayshon, Smith, Jones. Substitutes used: White, Jackson, Clayton, McDonald.

Wakefield: M Field; Halpenny, Demetriou, Domic, Tadulala; Rooney, Jeffries; Griffin, D March, Feather, Solomona, MacGillivray, Spicer. Substitutes used: Obst, Spicer, Elima, Korkidas.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).