Super show brings tremendous reward

Jul 7 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 32 - 24 Wigan. Wigan scalp is first for 22 years!

HUDDERSFIELD'S heroic Giants produced one of the Super League performances of the season to secure a thoroughly deserved and thrilling victory over Wigan.

Coach Tony Smith's side went into the game given little chance of toppling one of the greatest names in world rugby league.

But with a combination of razor-sharp attacking skills, stubborn defence and an incredible will to win, Huddersfield were able to savour a first win over Wigan for 22 years.

Not since a 9-7 Second Division success at Fartown on March 15, 1981 have the club come close to claiming the scalp of the famous cherry and whites.

However, on July 6, 2003 all that changed.

This was the day of the Giants, and no-one could deny that Huddersfield were the better side.

And in so many ways it was a win achieved in a very similar fashion to that against reigning Super League champions St Helens at the McAlpine on March 30.

In both games the Giants conceded a try early in the first half, only to come back strongly to take the lead into the break.

Then their illustrious visitors threatened a decisive second-half fightback, but were continually knocked back by hosts whose hunger for victory was so much stronger.

Furthermore, both St Helens and Wigan arrived at the McAlpine in a rich vein of form.