New record 10-try romp

Aug 16 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Halifax 12 - 54 Huddersfield Giants. Dazzling White joins Gene to star in a crushing derby win.

ONE down, five to go.

Huddersfield Giants predictably overcame the challenge of doomed Halifax with the minimum of fuss to keep their Super League play-off dreams alive.

If the McAlpine side can win their remaining five matches, then that dream may become a reality.

Quite clearly, last night's assignment will be the most straight forward in the Giants' glory quest.

But the nature of this latest success - the club's record Super League win - suggests that coach Tony Smith's men will approach the last few games in relatively good shape, as well as good heart.

Not only did the Giants win at a canter, scoring 10 tries for the first time in a Super League match, they were also allowed to take their foot off the gas in order to preserve vital energy for the crucial battles that still lie ahead.

Furthermore, Smith used some of his star men who were still carrying knocks, sparingly.

That, for instance, explained why Brandon Costin and Steve McNamara were substituted in the opening half.

What point was there in running the risk of aggravating their shoulder and calf injuries respectively when the game was already won?

A similar philosophy was also employed in the second half to keep Stanley Gene refreshed for the remaining games, although he was allowed to return in the closing stages and repaid his coach by completing a hat trick in the last minute.