THE DATE was Friday, April 3, 1998 and Huddersfield Giants were playing their first Super League game.
It was at home to Bradford Bulls.
Despite a great first effort, the Super League champions proved far too strong and secured a thoroughly-deserved 38-6 triumph.
Since then, the Giants have faced the Bulls 19 times in Super League, and have lost the lot!
It's a depressing statistic, with Huddersfield having suffered some massive hammerings along the way.
Those include a 78-18 thrashing at Valley Parade in 2001 and a 60-2 home defeat a year earlier.
On top of that, the Giants have conceded 50 points in losing on five other occasions and 40 points in falling another four times.
So when will this sorry state of affairs ever end?
How about this Friday night live in front of the Sky TV cameras!
On current form, it does appear the Giants have never had a better chance to beat their nightmare Super League side.
Having won six Super League games on the trot to move up to fifth in the table, confidence is sky high.
And on the back of Friday's 36-10 Challenge Cup triumph at Salford, this encounter can't come soon enough.
Unfortunately, Bradford are starting to show some solid form themselves, and will no doubt be determined to return to winning League ways after their controversial 42-38 Millennium Magic defeat to Leeds Rhinos eight days ago.
Furthermore, they will be boosted by the debut of New Zealand Test winger Tame Tupou from Brisbane.
And who the Giants will be facing on Friday, rather than past meetings will be at the forefront of Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp's mind.
"Obviously, this issue about the Bulls is always raised when we are about to play them," said Sharp.
"And there's no doubt it's a horrible record!
"But we've got far more things to think about than how many successive defeats we've suffered against them.
"Friday night is just one game, and what has happened in the past counts for absolutely nothing.
"Our sole focus is looking to beat the Bulls to help maintain our momentum and keep that winning habit.
"We're happy with our form, but know we can do better.
"That's something we need to be to beat Bradford, because their form has also been good.
"It promises to be a great game."
For those not of a squeamish disposition, the Giants Super League record against the Bulls is as follows:
1998 Lost 38-6 (home), lost 36-10 (away).
1999 Lost 22-20 (away), lost 26-0 (home).
2000 Lost 60-2 (home), lost 48-20 (away), lost 52-20 (away).
2001 Lost 30-14 (home), lost 78-18 (away).
2003 Lost 52-6 (home), lost 30-16 (away).
2004 Lost 20-6 (home), lost 40-12 (away).
2005 Lost 54-10 (away), lost 38-20 (home), lost 52-34 (away).
2006 Lost 52-18 (away), lost 42-16 (away), lost 42-30.
2007 Lost 18-14 (away).
