4th Round
Halifax RLFC 24 l. Huddersfield Giants 42

2008 Challenge Cup Index [Draw] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: Challenge Cup

Sharp: Giants Relishing Cup Derby
Fri April 18, 2008
Source: www.giantsrl.com

Huddersfield Giants coach Jon Sharp and his troops are relishing the prospect of a short trip to near-neighbours Halifax as they embark on this years Carnegie Challenge Cup campaign at The Shay stadium on Sunday (3pm).

"We are really looking forward to playing this week. We are going to come up against a Halifax team in the Challenge Cup and it's a big challenge for us; probably a different type of challenge because we are going to have a team that aren't used to the pace and contact of Super League. This is going to be their Cup Final; they are going to be pumped up and it's a chance to put one over their near neighbours, derby games are always close affairs. We need to be focused and not worry too much about the occasion or the opposition but about ourselves We need to quell their fire and we need to be enthusiastic and do the things we have been doing for 60 and 70 minutes and transfer it into an 80 minute performance. If we do that then I know we will be ok."

The Giants start their trail for a place at Wembley on August 30th following two successive Super League defeats, although Sharp insists his side are not far off, and is hoping victory on Sunday will re-ignite their league campaign the week after.

"We've been giving ourselves a chance to win games and that is a massive positive although it doesn't distract from the fact that we have got beaten. The focus is on the fact that we're not far off and we're not playing badly. Over the last 3 games we have been beaten by an average of 2 and a half points and its very similar to last year."

Following Saturday's defeat the Giants are expected to make minimal, if any, changes as they seek to progress through the competition and make the last 8 for the 4th time in 5 years under Sharp, whilst also hoping to go one better than the 2006 campaign which saw the side defeated 42-12 in the final at Twickenham against St Helens. With Sharp's record in the cup does he feel any added pressure?

"It's fantastic, I love responsibility and I love expectation. We've had a Cup Final, a Semi-Final and a Quarter-Final in 4 years and that makes me really proud."

One man who may get a further chance to impress is debutant Danny Kirmond who made his first appearance against Wakefield.

"We have taken the opportunity to give our youngsters a chance; Michael Lawrence in particular is getting all the press at the minute, Leroy Cudjoe a couple of weeks ago was great from full-back. This week, from seeing those two guys, I opted to go with Kirmond instead of Stuart Jones, which is something that has not happened before. He's come in and looks really athletic and physically he's very up to it so we are excited about him as well."

This week may come slightly too soon for Martin Aspinwall however, with the returning GB International held back from the First Team until he has played his 2nd Reserve fixture and Sharp is keen to ensure he returns at the right time, whilst also heaping praise on the 'unique' winger.

"He has been absolutely fantastic with his attitude and his endeavour and his single-mindedness to get back in there and play again. We know that 'Aspy' is a fantastic player and we've got him ready; he just needs another Reserve game and we'll see how he goes from there. Anybody who knows him, whether you've played with him or against him, knows his strength is phenomenal. In the gym he's probably one of the strongest pound for pound in our squad. He is a pretty unique character and he's got lots of athletic ability and is a very single-minded individual. There's no rush back for him; we have been patient for 10 months so another 2 weeks won't hurt."

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