Giants go so close!

Mar 8 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

For instance, hooker Darren Turner and prop Mick Slicker worked themselves into the ground with spells far longer than they may normally have expected.

And new Australian arrivals Anthony Colella and Jarrod O'Doherty were also highly effective, as too was fellow new overseas recruit Julian Bailey whose threequarter partnership with Hefin O'Hare is now beginning to blossom.

There was also an outstanding debut from on-loan Bradford Bulls threequarter Alex Wilkinson, who marked his debut with a try.

But arguably the pick of the backs was Marcus St Hilaire.

Handed the full-back role, the Huddersfield-born star rose to the occasion with a magnificent effort, both on attack and defence, and he has certainly given head coach Smith something to think about when first-choice No1 Paul Reilly returns to action.

St Hilaire was on hand on several occasions to thwart dangerous Wigan attacks, although in the first half he twice pulled off trysaving tackles which minutes later were to prove in vain.

In the 14th minute he halted a Brett Dallas break inside his own 20, only to see Sean O'Loughlin plunge over for a converted try on the next play.

And then he magnificently thwarted a rampaging Brian Carney on the half-hour and could then only watch on seconds later as the ball was worked across field for Dallas to finish off.

With Julian O'Neill landing a 23rd-minute penalty and Adrian Lam slotting over a 35th-minte drop goal, Wigan had somehow forged 13-0 ahead against the run of play.

But just before the break the Giants finally got the score they deserved as Wilkinson pounced on a kick-through from Turner to score in the corner.