AFTER all the pre-season hype and the magnificent Magic Weekend victory over highly-rated Warrington, the Giants came crashing back down to earth at Castleford.
Huddersfield may have gone into the contest as the red-hot favourites, having been far too strong for the Wolves in their Super League XVI opener in Cardiff the week before.
But the hungry Tigers clearly hadn’t read the script and thoroughly deserved to put the Giants firmly in their place.
The home side were the dominant force in almost every facet of the game, with coach Nathan Brown’s men struggling to match the enthusiasm of their fired-up rivals.
Whether the Giants are starting to believe too much of their own publicity – with many tipping them as third favourites for the title – is hard to say.
But, at the same time, it did appear Castleford raised their game considerably in order to face their West Yorkshire foes – and the Giants are going to have to get used to that.
Huddersfield are now starting to learn that by emerging as one of Super League’s top contenders, their opponents are going to be better prepared, and more determined, to meet the men in claret and gold head-on.
And that was a lesson Castleford rammed home as powerfully as their pack ran into their opponents’ six.
From the opening exchanges, it was clear the Tigers meant business.
They were clearly relishing the midfield battle, constantly forcing the Giants onto the back foot.
As a result, full-back Scott Grix was working overtime having to clear a series of deep kicks.
Fortunately, the 26-year-old was more than up to the task, with his positional play nothing short of outstanding. It was a classic case of a player not deserving to be on the losing team.
But with many of his teammates unable to follow Grix’s lead, it was almost inevitable the Tigers were the first to strike.
A 15th-minute midfield burst from the instrumental Danny Orr made it possible, creating the position for Rangi Chase to punt the ball straight into the arms of Nick Youngquest to score in the corner with ease.
