Huddersfield fall to Warrington defeat

Huddersfield Giants 6-26 Warrington Wolves

Huddersfield Giants (0)

Tries: Wardle

Goals: Russell

Drop Goals:

Warrington Wolves (14)

Tries: Mamo (2), Cooper, King

Goals: Ratchford (4)

Drop Goals:

Huddersfield Giants: Golding; McGillvary, Wardle, Leutele, Cudjoe; Pryce, Cogger; Greenwood, Peats, Trout; Jones, McQueen; Yates

Interchanges: Russell, Peteru, Wood, English

Warrington Wolves: Ratchford; Lineham, Mamo, King, Thewlis; Williams, Widdop; Hill, Clark, Cooper; Currie, Hughes; Philbin

Interchanges: Ashton, Davis, Mulhern, Akauola

Huddersfield Giants fell to defeat in the Betfred Super League, losing 26-6 against Warrington Wolves at the John Smith's Stadium. 

Huddersfield welcomed three senior players into their 21-man squad; Jermaine McGillvary, Ricky Leutele and Chris McQueen returned to the fray to bolster a squad that has been defined by youth all season. Elsewhere, Jack Cogger and Will Pryce continued their partnership in the halves, while Joe Greenwood moved to the front row. 

After building pressure in the Warrington half throughout much of the first quarter, a break from the visitors saw Jake Mamo find a gap to give Warrington the lead on 17 minutes. Ratchford added the extras a minute later, and the Wolves had the first lead in the match. The visitors could have been in again on the 23rd minute, but the pass from Stefan Ratchford to Tom Lineham was judged to have drifted forward in a let off for the Giants. 

But the Wolves wouldn't have to wait long for their second of the evening, as an end of set kick was intercepted by Gareth Widdop, who set up a one-on-one race between Jake Mamo and Jake Wardle, with the Giants centre unable to reach Mamo, who touched down for his second of the game. Ratchford's conversion attempt from the touchline was successful and the Giants found themselves with 10 minutes of the first half remaining and a twelve point deficit. 

A break for Daryl Clark through the middle of the field put Jake Mamo on the cusp of a hat-trick, but on-rushing defender Chris McQueen managed to prevent the certain try. He was left with a decision to make, however, and held on long enough for referee James Child to make the decision on his behalf, and send him to the bin for the final minute of the first-half, and eight minutes of the second half. 

A penalty was awarded also, which Stefan Ratchford dispatched for his third of the evening, leaving the gap between the sides at 14 as they headed for the sheds. 

The Giants coped well with the man disadvantage, and held the visitors scoreless over the 10 minute period, and held their own well into the third quarter of the match. They struggled to get anything going in attack, however, as the Wolves defence held firm. A reshuffle from Ian Watson saw Ash Golding replaced by Oliver Russell, with Will Pryce heading to full-back. 

A repeat set saw Warrington putting pressure on the Giants line, and the pressure paid off with 12 left on the clock, as Mike Cooper collected a pinpoint kick, with the luckiest of bounces, to score the first try of a subdued second-half. Ratchford converted for his fourth of the day, and the visitors lead stood at 20. 

The Giants kept plugging away at the Wolves and got their reward with 10 left on the clock, with a pinpoint kick from Olly Russell finding the hands of Jake Wardle to get on the board. Olly Russell added the extras from the touchline to make the scores 6-20, with 6 left on the clock. 

It would be Warrington who would have the final word on the game, however, as with just 60 seconds remaining, Toby King broke through and scored a late try for the Wolves, converted by Ratchford to restore the visitors twenty point lead. The Giants fell to defeat in the Betfred Super League, but will look to return to winning form against Hull KR on Bank Holiday Monday at 7:30pm.