REMEMBER Bryn Powell? Tony Smith might well do.
Huddersfield are preparing to visit Hunslet in the third round of the Challenge Cup on Sunday for a tie which will rekindle memories of a corresponding meeting 22 years ago.
Renowned Australian team chief Smith was relatively early in his UK coaching journey, having been appointed by the Giants in August 2000.
The former Illawarra Steelers, St George Dragons (he played for each before they merged) and Workington halfback suffered the misery of a second relegation from Super League (it happened as a player in Cumbria in 1996) in his first full season in West Yorkshire.
But 2002 was a far different matter, because with Smith directing from the dug-out and Steve McNamara leading the way on the pitch, Huddersfield surged to an immediate return to the top flight.
The Giants, with a talented and effective halfback pairing in Stanley Gene and Chris Thorman, topped the Northern Ford Premiership, dropping just one point (they were held 12-12 at Whitehaven), and won both the Buddies (National League) Cup and the play-offs.
Smith set about honing his side for another crack at Super League, and even though a bid to bring in New Zealand Warriors fullback and future Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary fell through, there were plenty of fresh faces on board by the time the draw for round four of the Challenge Cup was made.
Huddersfield were handed a trip to Hunslet, who had finished second-bottom of the 18-strong NFP, so leaving them in the new National League Two (three divisions were returning for the first time since 1998).
Even if it was the first competitive match of the 2003 season for the Giants, they were expected to ease through.
They also had the incentive of setting a new Rugby Football League record for successive wins in all competitions, having equalled Wigan’s 29 of February 1987 to October 1987 when they beat Leigh 38-16 in the NFP Grand Final at Widnes’ then Halton Stadium.
However, things didn’t go as expected at the South Leeds Stadium, where Hunslet, coached by Roy Sampson, produced a stunning performance to win 18-14.
Huddersfield, fielding seven signings in centres Julian Bailey (from Newcastle Knights) and Matt Calland (ex-Bradford), stand-off Brandon Costin (back from Bradford for a second Giants stint) and forwards Darren Fleary (Leeds), Jim Gannon (Halifax), Jarrod O’Doherty (Newcastle Knights) and Iain Morrison (London Broncos), were second-best in virtually every department.
Winger Powell, who had been signed from amateurs Hunslet Warriors ahead of the previous season, scored with a 70-yard sprint to the line and forwards Jonlee Lockwood and Dan Briggs also crossed, with stand-off Jon Liddell adding three goals.
“It really is a nice feeling,” said Sampson.
“And for the first try by Bryn, you won’t see better in Super League.”
For the Giants, tries by captain Costin (two) and winger Marcus St Hilaire and a Costin goal weren’t enough to stave off the upset.
“Hunslet played exceptionally well and deserved their win,” said Smith.
“We have a lot of improvement to make.”
Hunslet, beaten 82-0 at home to Bradford in round five, went on to finish sixth in the ten-team National League Two, while Huddersfield were tenth in the twelve-strong Super League, with Smith leaving to take charge at Leeds.
Powell finished the 2003 campaign with 24 tries to his name, and earned a move to Super League with Salford.
He was to earn Wales recognition and later played for Batley, Featherstone and Dewsbury.