Wolves topple Giants in blizzard

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WARRINGTON Wolves toppled league leaders Huddersfield Giants 28-2 in blizzard conditions at the Hailliwell Jones Stadium, to go second in the table.
Coach Tony Smith heaped praise on his team’s defensive performance with both teams deserving enormous credit for defying atrocious conditions to produce an entertaining game for the crowd of 9,797.
Danny Brough edged the Giants ahead amid driving snow in the 9th minute but that was to be the only tiume they troubled the scoreboard with Warrington always the more adventurous fully deserving their 14-2 interval lead.
Warrington scored their first try midway through the first half when full-back Brett Hodgson’s long pass exposed a gap against his former club giving winger Chris Riley an unopposed run to the line.
Hodgson kicked the touchline conversion and increased his side’s lead with a 29th-minute penalty.
Warrington then defied the conditions as Centre Ryan Atkins scythed through the heart of the visitors’ defence on halfway and Chris Bridge backed him up before sending Stefan Ratchford over for his first try, which Hodgson converted.
Hodgson again punished Huddersfield’s indiscipline with a second penalty 90 seconds into the second half to make it 16-2 and Warrington tightened their grip when Ratchford went over again.
Warrington piled on the pressure and although back rower Simon Grix was denied a try for obstruction there was no stopping Hodgson on 68 minutes when he finished off some slick passing by Mickey Higham and Myler (pictured right).
Hodgson converted his own try to take his goal tally to six from as many attempts.
After tyhe match Smith hailed his side’s defensive efforts as they kept Super League leaders Huddersfield try-less ifor the fiurst time this season.
“It was tough, good old-traditional winter rugby league,” said Smith. “It was probably just as well that the TV cameras weren’t here because they wouldn’t have been able to see the ball.
“You’ve got to compliment everybody who was out there – both sides and the officials – because the conditions were extreme.
“The players really did put their bodies on the line and our boys handled the conditions exceptionally well.
“Our defensive effort was enormous. To keep a team try-less is no mean feat. The big boys in the middle did a fantastic job and those fast backs came in and finished it off.”


Try scorer Brett Hodgson

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Warrington Wolves
1. Brett Hodgson 2.Chris Riley 3.Chris Bridge 4.Ryan Atkins 5.Joel Monaghan 19.Stefan Ratchford 7.Richie Myler 10. Garreth Carvell 9.Michael Monaghan 18. Chris Hill 15.Simon Grix 12. Ben Westwood 17. Michael Cooper
Substitutes
11. Trent Waterhouse 24. Ben Currie 14. Mickey Higham 16. Paul Wood

Huddersfield Giants
1. Scott Grix 5.Jermaine McGillvary 3.Leroy Cudjoe 4.Joe Wardle 18.Aaron Murphy 6.Danny Brough 7.Luke Robinson 29.Stuart Fielden 9.Shaun Lunt 10.Craig Kopczak 11.Brett Ferres 21.Dale Ferguson 20.Jacob Fairbank
Substitutes
8. Eorl Crabtree 13.David Faiumu 15.Larne Patrick 19.Jamie Cording

Atten 9,797


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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