WARRINGTON Wolves started the new Super League season with a hard-fought 20-12 win away at Huddersfield Giants.
Sam Burgess’ side trailed 6-4 at half-time against the unfancied hosts, who took the lead through Tui Lolohea’s try. The Wolves had to wait until the stroke of half-time to trouble the scorers, Arron Lindop, playing at centre, crossing to reduce the arrears after James Greenwood had knocked on a Lolohea pass.
Both sides failed with their captain’s challenge – a new rule introduced this season that enables clubs to appeal a decision in the match – in a scrappy first half in which only Danny Richardson’s conversion was the difference.
That Warrington score on the stroke of half time lifted them for the start of the second half, and they didn’t have to wait long to hit the front, Matt Dufty releasing Matty Ashton to score, and that was soon followed by Toby King scooting over against his hometown club for 14-6.
Greenwood dragged the Giants back in it with a try, confirmed by the video referee, but their fightback faltered and Dufty made the points safe with five minutes to go, gathering his own kick through to score.
Warrington welcome Catalans for their first home game of the season on Friday night, with their home ground being re-christened the Luke Littler Stadium for one night only in honour of the local lad’s Darts World Championship victory at the start of the year.
Huddersfield: Gagai; Swift, Hewitt, Jake Bibby, Wallis; Lolohea, Richardson; Wilson, Woolford, Burgess, Murchie, Greenwood, Cudjoe. Subs: Golding, English, Rogers, Rushton; (18th man: Jack Bibby)
Warrington: Dufty; Thewlis, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Ratchford; Vaughan, Walker, Yates, Holroyd, Russell, Currie. Subs: Powell, Crowther, Musgrove, Philbin (18th man: Taylor-Wray)
