Wolves suffer Giant shock!

2


WARRINGTON Wolves’ hopes of doing the double suffered a Giant shock as they bowed out 22-34 to Huddersfield Giants in the engage Super League play-offs.
Having defeated Huddersfield three times already this season the Wolves were clear favourites to progress but the rampant Giants had other ideas as they ran in 23 points without reply in a one-sided first half.
To their credit the Wolves came roaring back after the break getting to within six points of their opponents in the closing stages to set up a grand stand finish until a late intercept try from Leroy Cudjoe settled the game.
The Giants stunned the home crowd and looked to be coasting through to the last four when they scored four unanswered tries in an astonishing opening 40 minutes.
It took just two minutes for the visitors to score when loose forward Stephen Wild took an inside pass from stand-off Kevin Brown to break the deadlock. Warrington bound Skipper Brett Hodgson (pictured right) added the conversion and was also on target again when Danny Kirmond accepted Danny Brough’s pass to get over on the left.
Lee Gilmour was next to go over as he kicked ahead Brett Hodgson’s grubber before diving on the loose ball.
A fourth try arrived just after the half-hour, Kevin Brown making the home side pay for hanging back in defence, forcing his way in at the left corner despite the company of three defenders.
Hodgson’s conversion from out wide struck the post, though it was about the only disappointment for Huddersfield. Brough rubbed salt in the wounds with a long-range drop goal before the hooter.
After being booed off by their supporters at the break the Wolves came out all guns blazing in the second.
It took them only four minutes to get going as hooker Mickey Higham took Michael Monaghan’s pass to go between two defenders and reach the line.
A penalty from Hodgson gave Huddersfield some breathing space but it merely offered brief respite before they were once again on the back foot. Chris Hicks rose magnificently to claim Lee Briers’ up-and-under out wide and Higham then grabbed his second of the night, giving Warrington real belief that they could secure an unlikely comeback.
After Hodgson’s second penalty on 70 minutes, winger Hicks set up a grandstand finish by going over for a second time and Ben Westwood’s kick from the touchline cut the gap to just five points and even when Brough landed another drop goal, Warrington were still sensing they could get back on level terms.
Yet their brave bid came to an end when Cudjoe stepped out of the defensive line to intercept a Richie Mather’s pass to run away for a 90-metre effort.
Warrington boss Tony Smith admitted his side’s shocking first-half display cost them dear but admitted his team were beaten by the better side.
“I’m glad we made a game of it in the second half,” he said. “I’m sure it was an exciting finish for the fans but unfortunately we left ourselves way too much to do.
“I’ve got to give credit to Huddersfield. Their tactics in the first half hurt us. We didn’t cope with them very well.
“They’ve been on the back end of a few scorelines against us so all credit to Nathan for turning his troops around.”
Smith was forced into a late change when loose forward Ben Harrison tore a hamstring in the warm-up but he refused to use it as an excuse.
“By no means did it disrupt us too much,” he said. “We went out with a team we felt were good enough to compete but we were outplayed.”

For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE


2 Comments
Share.

About Author

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.

2 Comments

  1. It was certainly a strange game we just didn’t get going at all in the first half except for a brief spell towards the half time whistle. Too many mistakes and not enough or any umph at times. Maybe they are still recovering from the great final and are mentally drained.

    Much better 2nd half and if we had only got over the line in the corner it would have been 28 all……..

    Still it has been and excellent season.

  2. So the fans have missed out on a damp October Saturday night at Old Trafford and the players have lost the chance to win a bling ring. Who cares ? It’s only a daft Aussie inspired opportunity for Sky TV to wring out a few more games for the armchair fans. Wire have more pressing priorities such as to sort out the deadwood players on the books and bring in some fresh quality faces.

Leave A Comment