There will be plenty of time to build up this final — The first Challenge Cup final for the Giants since that last one that we never want to talk about. Unfortunately it will be my duty as a Giants blogger to mention it and even the Black shirts that came with it. It will also be up to me to investigate whether the team intend to wear Black in the final again. As to who they play in the final, that looks like it could be Manchester after they won their first leg semi-final 5-2 against Basingstoke. Tonight for the Giants though it was another win over a team they used to struggle against, Coventry, in a 4-1 result after a 1-1 tie in the first leg.

Dundonald was packed and the team fed off the energy putting in an excellent performance. The Giants haven’t taken this tournament to seriously in recent years under Ed Courtenay but it is clear that Steve Thornton does rate it and wants it for that matter. Actually, Thornton wants as many trophies as he can get his hands on regardless of the number of games the Giants have to play to get to them.

Jason Rushton was the centre of many fans attention tonight as they further scrutinised the player and his playing abilities to see whether he was worthy of a place in the team. Thankfully Rushton showed what he can do with the stick in his hands tonight after displaying the other side of his game this past weekend. He scored the game winning goal and along with goals from Shields, Thornton and Awada into an empty net the Giants won a chippy game.

The lack of penalty minutes on the box score might make it read as a calm enough game and that is what I thought having looked at the score sheet, but reports from fans suggest there were many off the puck incidents, many of which were missed by referee Mike Hicks. It means for nothing though as the Giants move on and we can look forward to an final.

On the subject: Challenge Cup, Coventry Blaze, Dundonald Ice Bowl | ALL SUBJECTS |

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