Thorman the inspiration!

May 20 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Dragons 30 - 45 Giants. AN almost unbelievable start blasted the fired-up Giants into the final of the Buddies National League Cup in the most spectacular of fashions.

Within the opening 10 minutes Huddersfield were 20-0 ahead and the game was effectively over as a contest.

Before the shell-shocked Dragons had time to catch their breath, inspired scrum half Chris Thorman had raced in for a hat trick of tries in just five minutes - from the second to seventh minute and a possible record - and Steve McNamara had landed the three conversions and a 10th-minute penalty.

It was almost too good to be true.

Doncaster did eventually settle to the gigantic challenge that faced them by scoring several well-worked tries of their own.

But the manner of the Giants' opening assault was always going to prove decisive.

Seldom have Huddersfield looked so fired-up at the start of a game, and when the Giants are in this sort of form no side in the competition has a prayer.

Doncaster may have emerged as one of the strongest NFP teams in the competition - they have lost just once in the League this year and were the club of the month for March - but coach Tony Smith's unbeaten leaders were determined to put them in their place.

With thoughts of revenge for the 30-10 Challenge Cup defeat in February and the small matter of a Buddies Cup final place up for grabs, it was clear Huddersfield meant business.

After just two minutes, prop Jeff Wittenberg had punched through the Doncaster defence close to the line and popped up the pass for Thorman to score.

Three minutes later it was Dave Atkins' turn to do the damage, running at the defence and switching back a pass for Thorman to grab No2.