IT WAS a game that perfectly mirrored the Giants’ best season in Super League.

Defeat at Hull in the club’s first play-off clash was obviously a massive disappointment, particularly as the outcome hinged on a couple of refereeing calls that went against coach Jon Sharp’s side.

But the Giants were still able to walk off the KC Stadium pitch with heads held high after producing yet another performance full of guts and determination.

An d it was amazing how the events of the 80 minutes of play-off action produced exactly the same script as Huddersfield’s entire Super League XII season.

After a shaky start, the Giants finally found their feet before suffering another dip and then finishing strongly with some great momentum behind them.

This was the story of their season, and this was the story of their first play-off appearance.

One can only wonder what might have been had the Giants finished both the season and Saturday’s game more positively.

But there’s no doubt that the nature of the whole campaign and their battling display at the KC bodes well for the future.

Once Sharp’s side began to find their play-off feet after controversially falling 10-0 behind after just 11 minutes, they made Hull battle all the way for their triumph.

Admittedly, the home side did lead 22-6 by the 68th minute, but that was only courtesy of a second tough call by the match officials which made the Giants’ task so much more difficult.

However, the nature of the late fightback should mean confidence will be high for the start of next season’s campaign.

Two tries in the final seven minutes set up a grandstand finish and showed just how dangerous the Giants can be if they force an opponent on the back foot.

But as the final hooter sounded, the visitors were left to rue making such a shaky start.

Nerves proved a massive problem early on, with uncharacteristic mistakes being made at every turn.

And within seven minutes Hull had made then pay, with Matthew Head chipping over for Gareth Raynor to pounce and make it 4-0.

Four minutes later it got even worse as Hull raced in for a try in highly controversial circumstances.

As Paul Reilly attempted to run the ball out of his own 20, he was forced to duck from a swinging arm from Garreth Carvell.

A dazed Reilly fell to the ground, lost the ball and Thomas Lee was on hand to score by the posts for Danny Tickle to convert.

Why referee Ashley Klein didn’t go to the video referee, heaven knows!

But it was certainly an incident that angered everyone in the claret and gold corner.

However, the tough call did at least help to signal the start of a Giants’ revival.

Although they were unable to make a first-half breakthrough, Huddersfield began to spark up on the introduction of Robbie Paul, with Hull somewhat relieved to be holding on to their 10-0 advantage at the break.

Half breaks by Paul and Chris Nero were unfortunate not to be rewarded, and at the start of the second half they began to take control.

Within five minutes of the restart, the increasingly-dangerous Andy Raleigh embarked on a stunning run to take play deep into Hull territory before Stephen Wild was denied by a last-ditch Matt Sing tackle.

So it was no surprise when the Giants finally got on the scoreboard after 50 minutes.

Jamahl Lolesi made it possible, embarking on a stunning long-range run to take play 10m from the Hull line.

And from that position, Ryan Hudson and Brad Drew exchanged passes for Hudson to dive over by the posts.

Chris Thorman’s conversion made it 10-6.

Tickle calmed the Hull nerves with a 55th-minute penalty before the unfortunate Kevin Brown’s attempt to set a colleague free on halfway was read by Richard Horne to race away and extend the home side’s lead to 10 points.

That was up to 16 by the 68th minute when Raynor latched on to a spilt ball by Willie Manu to touch down.

Video evidence was unclear as to whether Manu had knocked-on or if Drew had ripped the ball out, but video referee Richard Silverwood gave Hull benefit of the doubt.

At that stage, the Giants looked down and out.

But no-one had told that to the players!

With seven minutes remaining, Rod Jensen’s superb break set up the position for Paul Reilly to touch down in the corner from Drew’s kick, and then six minutes later, Drew again kicked ahead for Brown to dribble through and touch down for Thorman to goal.

At 22-16, the Giants were back in it – only to be beaten by the clock.

Nevertheless, it was still a fantastic effort.