Cup final return is a true dream – Giants ace Raleigh

May 30 2009 By Chris Roberts

ANDY RALEIGH has admitted playing in the 2006 Challenge Cup final has made him hungrier than ever to sample the magical experience for a second time.

The 28-year-old back-rower was in the Giants side beaten 42-12 by Cup kings St Helens at Twickenham in Huddersfield’s first final appearance in 40 years.

Victory over fellow Super League side Castleford Tigers at the Galpharm tomorrow would leave the Giants one game away from reaching the Wembley final on August 29 and make it three semi-final appearances in five years.

And the fit-again Raleigh, who made a successful return to action at Wakefield last weekend after being sidelined for five weeks with a knee injury, admits that playing at Wembley would be a dream come true.

"Even though we lost to St Helens in 2006, playing in the Challenge Cup final was still an incredible experience," said Raleigh.

"And there’s no doubt that when you’ve been part of a final once, it makes you hungrier for more. I know we’re capable of going back.

"Obviously, when we played in the final it was at Twickenham, and this year it’ll be back at Wembley, which would make it even more special.

"But to play in front of over 65,000 was amazing, and I know it would be even better at Wembley. All the boys are excited about that.

"That’s definitely a major source of motivation this weekend, and hopefully it’ll give us the edge against what is a very good Castleford side.

"I’ve seen them play a few times this season and they’ve got some really good attacking players.

"They like to throw the ball around, which clearly makes them a threat, and that makes it vitally important that our defence is good and solid, as it was against Wakefield last week."

That match was Raleigh’s first since he suffered his knee injury in the win at Hull KR on Easter Monday.