On an April Sunday in 2004, a sixteen year old boarded a train at Leamington Spa bound for Warrington. Clutching in his had two sets of tickets. His train ticket, and a match ticket. On his back, a Saints shirt.
Filled with a certain arrogance about the game, he headed into Warrington's West Stand, and blended in as one of thousands of Saints' fans that day. His arrogance was not misplaced. Saints blew away Huddersfield.
Saints were to off to Cardiff.
The day before, Wigan had beaten Warrington at Widnes. "Are you watching Pie Eaters" had rang around the Halliwell Jones Stadium, a taunt from arguably the best team in the competition to their local rivals.
You could hardly blame the fans, they had rallied around inspirational scrum half Sean Long, and his partner in crime (literally) Martin Gleeson in light of their betting scandal. Long would go on to win a second Lance Todd trophy in Cardiff as Saints exorcised some of demons remaining for the ill fated 1989 trip to Wembley.
This time, Saints have the chance to do it in the famous stadium, fate relying.
Now, that sixteen year old is a twenty two year old. The arrogance displayed that day has been replaced with cynicism and nerves. Huddersfield are a much better beast, as their league table shows, and Saints, like the proverbial tap, blow hot and cold.
It'll be a tough battle for Saints, Huddersfield's pack contains the rough and tough Keith Mason, who started in 2004. Rejected by Daniel Anderson, every game at Saints is a chance for him to prove Saints wrong.
Only five Saints remain from that day; Paul Wellens, Ade Garnder, Sean Long, Keiron Cunningham and Lee Gilmour. Two players from the 17 that day will also be battling it out for Wigan and Warrington in the form of Mickey Higham.
A lovely link. But it does nothing to stem the nervousness in the pit of Saints's fans' stomachs.
2005 is still very fresh in the memories, being blown away by Hull FC, who went on to win the competition. This time around, many are tipping Hudds to go on to win it. That isn't to say Saints don't have the capacity, but Hudd's form has been truly superb. Their development since 2006's final defeat at the hands of Saints will be fresh in the remaining players minds, and will help to spur them on. The combine experience with youth in a manner similar to Saints, with nippy backs working on the strong foundations lay by their hard-working, and tough forwards.
Saints have the skill to beat the Giants, and soak whatever is thrown at them, it is down to the wise heads on young bodies to rise once again to the challenge.
