Wolves Win Giant Nail-biter
Huddersfield Giants 22 Warrington Wolves 32
This was a landmark day for two of the Wolves' team; captain Adrian Morley made his 400th appearance at club level and Chris Hill made his Stobart Super League debut off the bench.
Matches between the Wolves and Giants are always close encounters so there were high expectations for another fantastic display of Rugby League action.
And this seesawing game didn't disappoint with numerous nail-biting moments. It was the Wolves who opened the scoring in the first half followed by end-to-end play from both sides each nudging ahead at various stages throughout the half. The Wolves went in at half time with a two-point lead but the Giants soon overtook with an opening try in the second half. With several heated moments and entertaining play from both teams the crowd were treated to a great display.
The Wolves utilised their first scoring opportunity in only the second minute of the game. The Giants gave away a penalty with a high shot in the opening set giving the visiting side the attack from just 40 metres out. Quick handling out to the left wing put Riley over in the corner. Atkins was unable to collect the ball cleanly but a flick pass out to Riley worked well in this opening score with the try awarded by the video referee. Ben Westwood was unable to add the extras with his touchline kick drifting wide. 0-4.
The next period of play saw some strong defence from the Wolves putting pressure on the Giants' attack keeping them back and preventing them from advancing. Even when the side had back-to-back sets to defend following penalties and dropouts the Wolves' line stood strong.
The Wolves had an opportunity on 13 minutes when a kick to the corner saw Joel Monaghan leap up to collect but the Giants' challenger won the aerial battle to regain possession for the home side.
It was to be the Giants who scored next through a strong break from Robinson opening up a gap down the middle to pass out to Brough in support who flew over under the sticks. Brough converted his own try to nudge the home side two points ahead.
Despite an error from the kick-off when the Giants failed to claim the ball leaving it to run over the dead-ball line it was to be the Huddersfield side who crossed next. A Scott Grix grubber kick was chased well, confusing the defence opening up a gap for Chan to cross the line but the video referee ruled that the scrambling Wolves defence had managed to hold him up over the line so no try and penalty attack. But the Giants weren't going to be denied a second time as Crabtree powered over soon after. Brough added the conversion from in front of the sticks to extend the lead. 12-4.
The visitors fought back when close to the half hour mark quick hands and strong running from Atkins and Myler put Riley over for his second in the corner, another great finish from the winger. But Westwood took the touchline kick wide 12-8.
This try appeared to lift the visitors creativity as a Briers 40/20 attempt ran just short and quick hands near to the try line edged the Wolves closer. Some imperfect passing crept in but with all deemed to have gone backwards a gap opened up for Bridge to dart through unimpeded. Briers took over the kicking duty adding the extras edging the visitors back in front with seven minutes of the half remaining.
The closing stages of the half saw possession switch several times as both sides were keen to have that lead going into the second half. A high shot on Lee Briers caused a stir as the half time hooter sounded and Tommy Lee was put on report for the incident.
The Giants opened the second half scoring. A high tackle from Cooper on half way gave the home side a good attacking position and from the last tackle of the set Chan powered over with the defence unable to keep him held up. Brough's kick was missed and the two-point lead had switched in the Giants' favour. 16-14.
This high intensity game then saw some heated play in the tackles just seven minutes into the half with the atmosphere in the stadium becoming electric.
Warrington gave the Giants several repeat sets to defend in the next period and the defence stood up well wrapping up the Wolves' attack but on 54 minutes the line was broken. Westwood found space dragging in the defence and sending a looping pass over to the wing to put Joel Monaghan over in the corner. Briers converted. 16-20.
This score was backed up soon after as the Wolves kept up the pressure. A tap kick from Briers was followed from Blythe who crossed under the sticks for another easy Briers conversion and a ten-point lead.
The Giants were not done though and it took a try-saving tackle from Joel Monaghan on Luke George to prevent a score down the wing on the 60-minute mark. But it didn't take long before the inevitable next try came from the home side. Myler, Atkins and Ratchford worked hard to hold Eden up over the line but the ball was grounded and the Giants edged back to within four points as Brough added the conversion.
The Giants' continued but the visitors had the final say through Myler. Westwood had the ball reefed out in the tackle. Ratchford picked up the loose ball as play continued. A quick pass to Myler in support saw him fly over under the sticks. The video referee was brought in to check the build-up play and the try was awarded. The Briers' conversion took the Wolves to 32 points and a well-deserved 10-point win.
This game had everything with periods of attractive rugby, heated moments between the sides, a seesawing score-line, injuries, player debuts, player milestones and a win which saw the Wolves keep their unbeaten record in 2012.
Huddersfield
Greg Eden, Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Joe Wardle, Luke George, Danny Brough, Scott Grix, Eorl Crabtree, Luke Robinson, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gilmour, Jason Chan, Kevin Brown
Subs: Tommy Lee, Jacob Fairbank, David Faiumu, Adam Walker
Tries: Brough, Crabtree, Chan, Eden
Goals: Brough (3)
Warrington
Stefan Ratchford, Chris Riley, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Joel Monaghan, Lee Briers, Richie Myler, Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix
Subs: Ben Harrison, Mike Cooper, Matty Blythe, Chris Hill
Tries: Riley (2), Bridge, J Monaghan, Blythe, Myler
Goals: Briers (4)
By Rachel Arnett
18, Feb, 2012
