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Sunday, 13 October, 2002, 13:16 GMT 14:16 UK
Giants ready for big time
Leigh were beaten 38-16 by Huddersfield
Leigh always looked second best against the Giants
Huddersfield chairman Ken Davy insists the promotion-winning Giants will be better prepared for Super League second time around.

Tony Smith's men secured a return to the top flight at the first attempt with an impressive 38-16 victory over Leigh Centurions in the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final.

Huddersfield's six-try success equalled Wigan's 29-match winning run set 15 years ago and enabled them to reclaim their place among the game's elite.

The Giants finished bottom of the table in each of their four previous seasons in Super League and were finally relegated in 2001.

But Davy believes they will be better equipped to hold their own this time.


I'm not suggesting we are going to be all-conquering but our objective is to build on solid foundations
Huddersfield chairman Ken Davy
"I believe we are far better prepared in every way than we were five years ago," he said.

"Our back office and infrastructure is, I believe, second to none in the game and everything is in place to enable us to make a good impression in Super League.

"I'm not suggesting we are going to be all-conquering in our first season but our objective is to build on solid foundations."

Leigh chairman Mike Nolan, meanwhile, has pledged to turn the Centurions into a promotion-winning team despite a third successive near-miss.

Nolan insisted the Centurions will remain a force and has not ruled out keeping Australian coach Paul Terzis and former Great Britain scrum-half Bobbie Goulding.

"We will be talking to everybody in the next week or so," he said.

"There has got to be some financial reality in the NFP and we'll be putting a budget together.

"We will get the best available for that budget and keeping Paul is certainly not ruled out, I've a lot of time for him as a coach. But I also have a business to run."

Leigh just missed out again
Leigh have it all to do, despite again coming close
Huddersfield have already announced the capture of three players for 2003 and Davy said more signings would be completed in the next month.

Former Canberra Raiders utility back Brandon Costin is returning from Bradford Bulls for a second spell with the Giants, who have also recruited New Zealand's Ivan Cleary and Halifax prop Jim Gannon.

"To have players of that calibre sends a clear message of what we are out to achieve," said Davy.

"We have started talks with other players and we are now able to take them forward.

"Overall, we probably need to add half a dozen or players to our existing squad. A lot of young talent has come through this year and I believe that will continue to deliver in Super League."

See also:

12 Oct 02 | Rugby League
Links to more Super League stories are at the foot of the page.


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