Superb Giants have that Saintly feeling

Mar 31 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Having produced another period of miraculous defence, Costin and Alex Wilkinson broke clear in the 58th minute to turn attack into defence.

And with the Saints defence stretched, Costin sent a long pass out to Hefin O'Hare who immediately passed back inside for Julian Bailey to crash over for an unconverted score to make it 24-16.

Again the visitors responded four minutes later for Long to score a try, converted by Paul Sculthorpe, and the lead was now just two.

But this was a day when the Giants were not to be denied.

With 11 minutes remaining O'Hare somehow managed to crash over from five yards and plant the ball down and in the last minute Costin raced over from a scrum and landed the conversion to send the home fans into seventh heaven.

It's hard to imagine Super League getting any better than this!

MATCH FACTS

Giants: St Hilaire, O'Hare, Bailey, Cooper, Wilkinson, March, Costin, Fleary, Turner, Gannon, Gene, Colella, O'Doherty, Slicker, Crabtree, Grayshon, Whitaker

Saints: Wellens, Stewart, Newlove, Smith, Albert, Sculthorpe, Long, Britt, Higham, Stankevich, Joynt, Jonkers, Hooper, Gardner, Jones, Bennett, Wilkin

KEY MAN: Anthony Colella

ANTHONY COLELLA may be the little man of the Giants, but there can be no player in the game with a bigger heart. His performance against St Helens was simply awesome, with his blood almost running to water in an incredible effort that was an inspiration to everyone.

KEY MOMENT

INSPIRATIONAL Brandon Costin's last-minute try confirmed beyond doubt that victory would belong to the Giants and their finest hour in their Super League history would be achieved.

Huddersfield Giants. Tries: Cooper (5mins), Colella (16mins), Turner (28mins), March (31mins), Bailey (58mins), O'Hare (69mins), Costin (79mins). Goals: Costin 4 from 7.

St Helens. Tries: Albert (1min), Smith (36mins), Jones (41mins), Long (62mins). Goals: Long 2 from 3, Sculthorpe 1 from 1.

Half-time: 20-10.

Referee: Robert Connolly (Wigan).

Attendance: 5,825.

Scrums won: Huddersfield 10, St Helens 6.

Penalties conceded: Huddersfield 5, St Helens 5.