When Giants stunned Saints and proved their worth among elite

Indeed, the West Yorkshire club’s last league triumph at the now derelict Knowsley Road was on November 26, 1978 and, during 30 Super League meetings, Huddersfield have managed just four victories, all at home.

Undoubtedly, the most famous was this remarkable one eight years ago and not only because it was their first.

Tony Smith, the upcoming Australian coach who had led the Giants to promotion, was rightly elated after a stunning 36-22 success against the reigning champions – their first in 25 years.

His side had failed to win any of their opening three games in the elite and had quickly been bracketed as favourites to suffer immediate relegation.

It was easy to see why when they conceded a soft try to Saints winger Darren Albert inside just 54 seconds.

Another embarrassing mauling at the hands of one of the competition’s big names – their visitors boasted a half-back pairing of Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long, while fellow Great Britain internationals Paul Wellens, Chris Joynt and Paul Newlove dusted the side with added class – was surely on the cards.

However, an inspired Huddersfield side went on to revive themselves and dominate much of the encounter against the title favourites.

Winger Ben Cooper, pictured, charged over in the fifth minute and the forceful Anthony Colella added a second before Darren Turner burrowed over and Paul March sprinted home for a fourth to leave bemused St Helens in disarray.

Australian scrum-half Brandon Costin was the catalyst for most of the Giants’ exceptional work and, although Darren Smith and Stuart Jones responded with tries before and after the break, there was no further let-up from the unfancied hosts. Impressive centre Julien Bailey added a quality effort, rendering Long’s try worthless, before Smith’s men showed all the mercilessness of a champion team, Hefin O’Hare and, fittingly, Costin adding further tries.

The Huddersfield coach – who would go on to lead Leeds Rhinos to two Super League titles, take charge of Great Britain and win consecutive Challenge Cups with Warrington – was beaming afterwards.

“It’s a great result for the sport of rugby league,” he enthused.

“These are the kind of matches people want to see.

“The competition should be like this every week. If the team at the bottom can beat the one at the top, then it can only put bums on seats.”