Having watched the game again today, there is far too much significance being given to this 'Hudds had their pockets pinched' idea.

They were a bit steadier than we were, but they didn't do anything like enough to justify such a claim.

The move that killed them was attempted at least a couple of times earlier in the match, and yet they still got caught out by it. None of the presenters mentioned that to my knowledge, which makes me think they were commentating on what they wanted to be happening rather than what actually was.

Lets face it if this game had been played under the rules applied at the beginning of the season it would have ended up a nines match

to be honest moto only when a saints fan comes on and tries (see what I did) to put Wigan down.

Agree with both posts. I was quite down on our performance and felt the game was a little dour for the most part on the long journey back on the coach yesterday. Watching it again without the uncertainty and stress of sitting in the stands, I saw a lot to admire from both teams. In the heat of the moment, it’s those daft knock-ons that catch the eye, but you don’t register the sheer graft in defence and all the pivotal plays that could have swung either way. I thought Huddersfield came with a superb game plan designed to shut us down, but watching it again, you could see they were creaking during the last quarter of the game as we kept pushing at their edges. Sometimes it can be hard to appreciate the performance of the team when you’re there and the game is so tight.

And anyone who thinks Harry Smith had an off-day seriously needs to watch his performance again.

I've not had chance to watch again (going to do the first half now, rest tomorrow).

Before I do, one of the main things I noticed at the game was how little Mago did (minutes and metres), I thought he was very uninspiring when he was on (ten minutes or so)? My question is, did he suffer an injury or was he not fully fit in the first place. Like I said, I'm going to watch again without the pressure but for me it was his poorest game for us so far.

Yes Mago was underwhelming - he needs to start running his weight and pumping those legs after contact instead of purely focusing on offloads.

Whilst we're onto negatives I thought Jake Bibby was poor again at centre - two bad defensive reads which led to tries. Not unhappy that he appears to be off to Huddersfield in all honesty - a solid right winger at Wigan but nothing more than that. Maybe Ian Watson can get the best out of him.

I’m amazed people are criticising Child on some platforms and blaming him for the Huddersfield defeat. I’ve watched the game back and we got a bad hand from him. The first pen is a joke, the penalty for Huddersfield messing up their own scrum down is also a joke, he should sin bin their man on half time for a professional foul, McQueens try shouid go upstairs for obstruction, he missed a blatant 6 again part way though the second half, which ended with French being tackled in possession and just before the Smith try, Faz gets a whack to the face from Yates and stays down but gets nothing. The replay clearly shows he gets hit high.

If he gave us a helping hand, I shudder to think how he’d have performed if he’d been against us!

All history now and all that matters is Challenge Cup Number 20!

Having just watched it back I stand by my initial comment.

For much of the game we lacked any direction.

That isn’t just on Smith it’s on Cust and O’Neil too and non of them took the responsibility on.

Smith however did come up with key plays at key times which got us the win and that a sign of quality.

One player I thought had a poor game on the day was Singleton however I thought he went well particularly on his first spell.

He was at least as worthy of the MOM award as McQueen, if not more so.

your initial comment is wrong

I disagree, but we are all entitled to our opinions.

Agree with all that Itchy, I thought our back three were all very good, despite they all made a few errors. But their contributions in both attack and defence were great. And you could say exactly the same thing about Harry Smith. And as others have said, faIr play to Jon Wilkin (not for the first time) for talking some sense.

And like you, so pleased for Marshall after his cruel luck earlier in his career. So pleased for the lad for whom it clearly means so much. The lads at the back of the coach on the way back were all singing "Liam Marshall, he's one of us!". And that's what it's all about, really, isn't it?

I agree even if your opinion is wrong as is my opinion of yours is (so to speak) (I think)

I am also very happy for Liam Marshall with the luck has in his career to score the winning try in the semi and the final a dream come true for the lad I bet.