Huddersfield Giants 48 Castleford Tigers 16: Hosts enjoy happy ending to Accu Stadium story against dismal rivals
There is something poignant about leaving a home regardless of the story behind it.
It does not have to be perfect, or even particularly happy, to leave a mark.
The Accu Stadium has not always been the easiest place for Huddersfield Giants to call home.
Even during the good times, attracting supporters through the turnstiles proved a persistent challenge.
The Giants reached the play-offs eight times in nine seasons between 2007 and 2015, including five top-four finishes and a League Leaders' Shield, yet the crowds never consistently matched those achievements.
If anything, the disconnect between the team and its surroundings became more pronounced as crowds dwindled and apathy took hold.
The vast swathes of empty seats have provided the backdrop to Huddersfield's recent struggles.
Nevertheless, Saturday brought an emotional farewell after 32 years at the ground.
For all its shortcomings, this has been the setting for some of Huddersfield's biggest moments in the Super League era.
The challenge for the Giants now is to find a home that brings the team and the supporters closer together.
For now, that means Dewsbury after the Rugby Football League ratified the move on the eve of the club's final game at the Accu Stadium.
Huddersfield are leaving the town indefinitely, adding extra significance to an occasion that felt like more than simply a farewell to a stadium.
The Giants ensured they left on their own terms with a commanding victory over the dismal Castleford Tigers, leapfrogging their West Yorkshire rivals in the process to end a difficult campaign in 12th place.
Jim Lenihan's side appeared destined for the wooden spoon before sending it the way of Bradford Bulls thanks to a remarkable late-season surge.
While Castleford had the look of a team wishing the season away in the closing weeks, the Giants ended the year as one of the competition's form teams.
A sixth win in eight games was in the bag by half-time despite the late loss of Fenton Rogers to a red card.
Huddersfield found an edge that had been missing for most of the campaign in the latter stages, as demonstrated when Castleford winger Dan Sarbah was denied by a try-saving effort.
The Giants' newfound confidence was evident in the way they took a firm grip on the contest.
Taane Milne cut inside and held off a last-ditch attempt by Daejarn Asi to mark his final appearance with the opening try before Castleford hit back through Liam Hood, the veteran hooker dummying his way in under the posts from a scruffy kick.
Huddersfield scored three times in 10 minutes to highlight their late-season improvement.
After Tristan Powell forced his way over from close range, Connor Wrench went in from Tui Lolohea's cut-out pass.
Even Rogers' dismissal for leading with an elbow and sending Tyler Dupree for a HIA could not derail the Giants.
Faced with the prospect of 45 minutes against 12 men, Castleford conceded immediately when Warrington Wolves-bound Jacob Gagai stepped his way over.
The Tigers collapsed in similar circumstances against Wakefield Trinity not so long ago but they at least struck first after half-time through Asi's jinking finish.
Lolohea's penalty calmed any Huddersfield nerves before Zac Woolford made sure of the result from Joe Greenwood's offload.
Gagai ghosted in for his second and Lewis Jagger's acrobatic finish prolonged Castleford's misery.
To underline the sheer scale of the task facing the next head coach, the Tigers ended the season with the worst attack and the worst defence statistically.
Jordan Lane scored a late consolation for the visitors but the final word went to Milne on an afternoon that gave Huddersfield a fitting farewell to the Accu Stadium.
The Giants could finally say goodbye with a smile.
Huddersfield Giants: Evalds, Jagger, Wrench, Gagai, Milne, Lolohea, Clune, Powell, Woolford, King, Greenwood, Hewitt, Rushton. Substitutes: Rush, Zenon, Rogers, Billington.
Tries: Milne (11, 79), Powell (26), Wrench (31), Gagai (35, 67), Woolford (60), Jagger (71).
Goals: Lolohea 7/8, Zenon 1/1.
Red card: Rogers (35).
Castleford Tigers: Laulu-Togaga'e, Senior, Mellor, Mapapalangi, Sarbah, Asi, McNamara, Brown, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Greacen, Stimson. Substitutes: Hall, Robb, Hirst, Dupree.
Tries: Hood (17), Asi (43), Lane (75).
Goals: McNamara 2/3.
Referee: Tara Jones.