Jolly Blue Giants Underdogs New York Giants prevented the New England Patriots finishing the NFL season unbeaten and claiming immortality in Super Bowl XLII yesterday. The Giants defence led by long-serving Michael Strahan swarmed all over the Patriots' previously untouchable quarter back Tom Brady, sacking him five times and hitting him nine.

It was a fantastic match and as the Giants swarmed around the field from the start, it looked like the Patriots had a sense of entitlement early on, however they still led with just 75 seconds to go 14-10. The Giants had possession but faced a third down and five yards to go from inside their own half.

Eli Manning, brother of last's year's champion quarter back Peyton, looked almost certain to be sacked but he managed to stay on his feet and escaped his assailants to throw a massive pass that seemed to be sailing high over the head of wide receiver David Tyree.

Tyree leapt, with his arms entangled with a Patriots defender's, and brought the ball down as he fell to earth, wedged between his hand and his helmet. That catch will go down as legend as one of the most extraordinary catches in Super Bowl history.

That took the Giants to the Patriots' 24-yard line. Another three plays went wasted as the clock ticked down. Then the oft-criticised Eli Manning threw a short pass to Plaxico Burress for the touchdown that, with only 35 seconds to play, would give the game one of it's biggest ever upsets. "I think we shocked the world," said Michael Strahan. They certainly shocked the Patriots and the pub I was in, in Charleston mirrored the rest of the country I assume except the north-eastern corner of the country who will wonder how a team that no one has got near beating this season ended it with nothing.  ¶ 19:15