Cup of joy for super Giants

May 27 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 32 - 6 Hull KR. THE good times are back at Huddersfield Giants!

Victory over outclassed Hull KR helped to crown Huddersfield the Buddies Cup champions and further underlined their status as the NFP's dominant force.

The shellshocked Robins were simply blown away by the Giants who controlled the contest from start to finish.

They led 18-0 at half-time and kept up the pressure after the break to keep Rovers at bay with a truly awesome display.

Even referee Steve Nicholson, whose sole second-half objective appeared to be based on penalising Huddersfield out of the game, failed to turn the tide!

Instead, the Giants simply tightened their grip on the proceedings and made sure the Robins remained silent by dominating in the middle of the park.

Props Jeff Wittenberg, Mick Slicker and Heath Cruckshank bossed the middle of the field, while the back-row trio of Dave Atkins, Rob Roberts and Steve McNamara were, as usual, sensational.

That could also be said of hookers Darren Turner and Paul March, who again shared the roll magnificently.

It was just unfortunate that on this occasion March had to be introduced because of an injury to Turner's left hand.

Up until his withdrawal he had arguably been the Giants' most effective player, making valuable yards and picking up any loose ball that presented itself.