Lolesi shines in Giants win - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Lolesi shines in Giants win

Second rower Jamahl Lolesi scored a brilliant hat-trick to keep Huddersfield's play-off hopes alive with a 26-22 win over Bradford Bulls which was overshadowed by fighting between both sides.

Australian Lolesi had already put the Giants in charge with touchdowns either side of the break when the game erupted midway through the second-half, leading to both teams having a man sent off.

Bulls star Tame Tupou got a red card on 63 minutes for punching Huddersfield's Stuart Jones in the face, and referee Ashley Klein then sent off Giants prop Keith Mason just three minutes later after he responded to a high tackle on him by Bradford's Glenn Morrison by striking the Bulls stand off.

That incident prompted a massive brawl in which Bradford's David Solomona tried to act as peacemaker as both sets of players went for each other.

Huddersfield were already 20-16 ahead before then and Lolesi sealed the points for the hosts with a brilliant solo touchdown on 70 minutes before players from both sides were scrapping again, this time referee Klein splitting them apart.

Bradford attacked at will in the closing stages, prompted by Solomona's tireless running, but superb defensive tackles near the try line, especially from Brad Drew, kept the visitors out.

There was though very nearly a controversial sting in the tail as Bradford came mightily close to making a remarkable comeback during the several minutes of stoppage time added on for all the play lost to the fighting.

Bradford's Chris McKenna went over for a converted touchdown two minutes into overtime and referee Klein then nearly gifted the Bulls a stunning victory by apparently failing to hear the hooter when it eventually sounded.

Play continued with Klein apparently oblivious to the fact that the hooter had gone - with Bradford taking full advantage to go over for a winning try. But Klein was made aware of his mistake by the touch judges and the try was disallowed with the game ending 26-22 to Huddersfield.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
'He’s a better ex than he was a husband', says Boris Johnson's ex wife

A better ex than husband

We talk to Boris Johnson's ex wife
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London