FEW players have the opportunity to play in a Challenge Cup final during their careers, let alone score in one of rugby league's show-piece occasions.

Barrow Raiders loose forward Martin Aspinwall is one player who has done both of those, although unfortunately the only thing missing to complete the set is a winners' medal.

When Hull FC and Warrington Wolves walk out onto the Wembley turf for today's final, it will no doubt bring back memories for the 34-year-old from ten years ago.

It was then that he helped Huddersfield Giants on a fairytale run to their first final appearance since 1962, although there was to be no happy ending as they went down 42-12 to the all-conquering St Helens side of the era at Twickenham.

Aspinwall had joined the Giant the previous winter from hometown side Wigan Warriors as one of their high-profile signings, which included live-wire New Zealand half-back Robbie Paul.

They added to a squad already containing the likes of influential stand-off Chris Thorman, powerhouse forward Eorl Crabtree, and talented Australian duo Michael De Vere and Brad Drew, but few pundits expected the team to contend for honours.

“We did recruit quite well, but I don't think anyone outside of our camp expected us to do much, really,” recalled Aspinwall, who could be found plying his trade out on the wing in those days.

“We always believed we had a decent squad and it probably was a big surprise to the outside rugby world that we did make the final.

“We had a great camp in Portugal in January which brought us a bit of togetherness and team spirit. We had a few goals and that was probably one of them and we got there.

“The final was a bit disappointing because of the scoreline, but we were massive underdogs and perhaps we were just happy to get there.”

Huddersfield's Super League campaign that year proved an up-and-down one, missing out on the play-offs by four points, and they flew under the radar of many during the early part of their Challenge Cup campaign.

National League One sides Halifax and York City Knights were seen off 40-8 and 38-4 in rounds four and five respectively, followed by the Giants swatting aside fellow Super League outfit Salford, who would go on to finish fifth that year, 44-14 in the quarter finals.

That set up a showdown with Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos at Odsal Stadium, where Huddersfield shook off their underdog tag to roar to a memorable 30-12 triumph in front of the BBC cameras, having been level at 12-12 at half time.

Two tries apiece for Chris Nero and Stuart Donlan helped seal their progress, and to this day it remains one of the highlights of Aspinwall's career.

“We got to the Leeds game and it's a one-off game,” said Aspinwall, adding: “That day was just a brilliant occasion.

“It was probably one of the best games I'd play in during my career because we were such underdogs and to beat Leeds the way we did.

“The Leeds side at the time were a great side, so that was a massive win for us.”

The final should have been the club's first appearance at Wembley for 44 years, but delays in the reconstruction of the famous London venue meant the game had already been switched to the home of English rugby union at Twickenham.

Not that it diminished the occasion for Aspinwall - who would get to play in a Wembley final three years later when Huddersfield were beaten by Warrington – and his team-mates, and he got the Giants off to the perfect start by going over for a try after just six minutes.

“It was a great feeling at the time and maybe I got a little bit over-excited, but they are great memories,” said Aspinwall.

“You speak to people ten years on who have moved onto different clubs and retired, and you still talk about it.

“It was really good for the town and they really got behind us because it had been a long time. The build-up was great, knowing all eyes were on you, but there was no pressure as well.

“We didn't win, but we didn't disgrace ourselves.”

Indeed, few teams could match St Helens that year.

Coached by Australian Daniel Anderson, they would go on to dominate the Challenge Cup for three seasons, as well as winning the 2006 Super League Grand Final and beating NRL champions Brisbane Broncos in the following year's World Club Challenge.

Inspired by Lance Todd Trophy winner Sean Long, Saints proved to have too much quality for the Giants on the day, recovering from that early setback to seal an impressive win, with Huddersfield's only other score being a late converted try from Paul.

“That particular side around that time was a top side, with the likes of (Paul) Sculthorpe, Jamie Lyon, Sean Long and James Roby,” said Aspinwall.

“We competed for 25 minutes, but then we just faded a little in the second half and their class shone through.”

Fast-forward ten years and Aspinwall - now training to be an accountant alongside his playing commitments - is on the verge of making another great memory, with Barrow among the contenders for promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship.

And the experience of that Cup run may just come in handy when the time comes for the Raiders to tackle the play-offs.

“We just can't get complacent and have to keep doing what we've done to get us here,” said Aspinwall. “The play-offs are knock-out rugby and I hope we do get promoted because then we will see the crowds increase.

“Barrow is proper, genuine rugby league town and we're probably the biggest club in the division we're in. If we can get promoted you get more away support, you get more revenue and it's good for the town.”