WARRINGTON Wolves survived a second half fight back by fellow title challengers Huddersfield Giants to return to the top of the Super League table following a 28-16 victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
A man-of-the match performance from full-back Bret Hodgson (pictured) saw the Wolves race into a 22-0 half-time lead against his former club. But the Giants battled back to 22-16 to set up a nail biting finish as Warrington needed a late Louis Anderson try to secure the points and end a three-game losing streak against their Yorkshire opponents.
The Giants gifted Warrington plenty of first half possession after being constantly penalised for holding down in the tackle as they gave away five penalties in the opening 10 minutes, which with two knock-ons, gave Warrington tghe upper hand.
After just three minutes Luke O’Donnell lost possession from a Giants scrum as Brett Hodgson raced over for the opening score.
He converted from the touchline and two minutes later slid in a grubber kick which Joel Monaghan did exceptionally well to touch downin the corner with less than an inch to spare! Hodgson made no mistake from the touchline again as Warrington led 12-0.
The Wolves dominated play as Richie Myler made a break and exchanged passes with Louis Anderson to touch down, with Hodgson kicking his third goal.
After 22 minutes Matty Blythe slipped in Monaghan for the Aussie winger’s second try and although Hodgson missed the kick, Warrington looked set for a stroll in the park.
They should have put the game to bed but both Anderson and Matt King knocked on when they looked set to score as Huddersfield offered no threat at all.
But the Giants transformed the contest with two tries in three minutes in the second half.
First Lawrence’s kick was touched down by Jermaine McGillvary, then after the kick-off went out on the full, David Fa’alogo powered over from close range.
Both teams struggled to hold of the ball in driving rain but the Giants got within a converted try with 10 minutes left when Kevin Brown touched down Luke Robinson’s perfectly-weighted kick under the sticks.
When Scott Grix fired in a 40-20 the Giants had their chance but Leroy Cudjoe knocked on and Warrington escaped as Myler’s quick pass allowed Anderson to settle it with three minutes left.
Pictures show Warrington Wolves’ point machine Brett Hodgson getting one over his former club at long last!
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