Betfred Super League
Warrington Wolves (22) 34
Tries: Walker, Bentley, Powell, Williams, Lindop, Ashton Goals: Hayes 5
Huddersfield Giants (4) 24
Tries: Halsall 2, Hewitt, Wrench, Gagai Goals: Flanagan 2
Warrington Wolves hung on to beat a rejuvenated and stubborn Huddersfield Giants to stay in touch with Super League’s top two.
Lowly Huddersfield had won their past four games to move off the bottom of the table – and quickly showed they were intent on continuing the run when Sam Halsall went over for the game’s first try.
Wolves hit back with four tries in 12 minutes, from Danny Walker, James Bentley, Sam Powell and George Williams, to put the hosts 22-4 up and seemingly in total control at the break.
Halsall grabbed his and the Giants’ second try early on in a free-scoring second half, with Arron Lindop following up with Warrington’s fifth touchdown, before two tries in two minutes from Sam Hewitt and Connor Wrench got the visitors back into the game.
Even after Matty Ashton dotted down for Warrington with nine minutes left, the result was not beyond doubt against a Huddersfield side that carved out another late finish, with Jacob Gagai going over.
Warrington’s victory guarantees them a play-off place at the very least, but it also keeps them within two points of Leeds Rhinos in top spot and Wigan Warriors, who are only second on points difference with three games left.
While Huddersfield remain second from bottom after suffering their 18th Super League defeat this term, their recent wins against bottom-half sides – York Knights, Hull FC, Catalans Dragons and Toulouse – in the past month made this a dangerous game for one of the competition’s high-flyers.
Their confidence was obvious in the early minutes against Sam Burgess’ Warrington, with Halsall continuing his fine scoring run with his fifth try in three games, after getting on the end of a Gagai grubber kick.
Warrington’s response was devastating, with Walker’s darting close-range try quickly followed by well-worked efforts finished by Bentley, Powell and Williams.
Bentley knocked on as he tried to grab another try before the interval and, while Halsall also lost his grip on the ball as he attempted to land a first-half double, the Giants winger eventually went over again for the visitors early in the second half.
When Lindop twisted over the line for Warrington and Leon Hayes landed a penalty – having missed an earlier attempt – the hosts restored what seemed to be a comfortable 28-10 lead on the hour mark.
But quickfire finishes from Hewitt and Wrench ensured Warrington had to work hard to see out the victory as Ashton and Gagai traded late four-pointers in the Sunday try-fest.
Warrington head coach Sam Burgess told Radio Merseyside:
“I’m very happy, because today was going to be a tough day for a number of reasons. I’m very proud of them.
“It’s a couple of points conceded, but mission number one today was to get the two points.
“I’m not really bothered about it (points conceded) to be honest. Technically I’m not too worried about anything because I felt that when we needed to be solid defensively, and we were solid.
“I’m just happy the scoreboard was in our favour at the end of the game.”
Huddersfield head coach Jim Lenihan told Radio Leeds:
“The start of our game was pretty good – our first 15 to 25 [minutes] was pretty strong.
“We had a patch there where we had three tries against us in eight minutes and that was disappointing. We played well in parts, but that little section hurt us a little.
“Coming out in the second half, we competed again. We probably had a couple of silly things go against us again that we didn’t get right, but we fought on and tried to go to the end.
“And I honestly thought there was a chance we were going to win at the back end, but unfortunately it was not to be.”
Warrington Wolves: Webster, Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton, Williams, Hayes, Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie.
Interchanges: Powell, Wood, Tanginoa, Crowther.
Huddersfield Giants: Flanagan, Halsall, Wrench, Gagai, Milne, Lolohea, Clune, Rushton, King, Woolford, Rogers, Hewitt, Cozza.
Interchanges: Powell, Greenwood, Sykes, Geyer.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.