Match Report | Wigan Warriors (H)

Huddersfield Giants were beaten 6-48 on an extremely disappointing afternoon at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The second half of today’s double header at the John Smith’s Stadium saw the Giants host Wigan Warriors in Super League.

After back-to-back defeats, the Giants aimed to get back to winning ways against the visiting Warriors, who are fresh off an emphatic win against the Catalan Dragons.

The opening two minutes were chaotic – as the Warriors saw their number 10, Liam Byrne, beaten for a high tackle in the first set.

The Giants looked to make good use of the extra man advantage as they found themselves camped in their opponents’ half. It all looked promising until a sharp interception from Liam Marshall earned him his 10th Super League try of the season as he sprinted over 80m to the tryline to put the visitors ahead.

After Smith’s conversion, the Warriors went on a 6-0 run almost immediately.

The next scoring opportunity was taken by the Warriors, who made it two more through a successful Smith penalty following an off-ball challenge by Tui Lolohea – making the score Giants 0-8 Warriors.

The Warriors made the next few minutes ugly, trying to wear down the Giants after every tackle – much to the dislike of the Bell Army.

However, one man they could not tire of was Elliot Wallis, who broke free fantastically in his own half and after an illusionary solo run, landed under the posts to cap off a sensational moment of individual brilliance and for to collect his fourth. Try the Super League this season. Connor’s conversion was good, meaning the score stood at Giants 6-8 Warriors.

Wigan suffered handling errors in the next set and after the turnover the Giants began to apply more pressure with direct and powerful running.

This felt wasted though as a wonderful French ‘dummy’ Bevan fooled the Giants defense and allowed French to slide in for a score in front of the traveling fans and his seventh of the campaign so far – canceling out some good work from the home side. . The conversion was passed on the line by Smith, meaning the score remained Giants 6-12 Warriors.

The Giants were polled again, gaining good yards and building momentum. Despite their best efforts, their clinical nature was lacking and chances disappeared – they were letting Wigan ‘cut off’.

Just after the half-hour mark, it was the visitors’ turn to squander a chance, as two plays from a set that started in Giants territory, they struck and handed the ball back to the hosts. A sigh of relief for the Giants.

A second major sigh of relief came just one set later for the Giants after some silky hands from the Warriors opened them up. Fortunately for them, Seb Ikahihifo was on hand to pull off a huge interception save, limiting the damage and keeping the game within one score.

The first half ended with the score Giants 6-12 Warriors. A spirited effort from both sides with many displays of team and individual brilliance.

The start of the second half was unfortunate for the Giants as a high kick from the first set was spilled – handing possession to the Warriors in a fantastic position.

This was taken advantage of as the ball was spread wide to Liam Marshall who scored his second try of the afternoon and 11th of the season as he powered over the line from the corner. Smith took his time with the shot, irritating the home fans in the process. The kick was converted and the score stretched to Giants 6-18 Warriors.

The visitors almost had another try soon after when Ethan Harvard burst through a tackle just 5 yards out, however he spilled the ball in what looked certain to be another 4 points for Wigan.

Poor discipline from the Warriors allowed the hosts to claw their way back into the game. A couple of high tackles in quick succession gave the Giants much-needed penalties and yards.

The Giants then showed their defensive grit, holding firm in the middle of the park before holding off Bevan French on the line – denying him his second try of the game.

However, French got his name on the scoresheet for the second time just minutes later after getting on the end of a lucrative Harry Smith run before dancing around the final tackle. French’s quick feet won his side and himself another 4 points. Smith’s conversion added another 2 points and the game was really starting to get away from the Giants. With a quarter of an hour left, the scoreboard read Giants 6-24 Warriors.

Things went from bad to worse immediately, with Marshall securing his hat trick – rounding off a lowly team moving down the left. Marshall was left with the easy task of placing the ball downfield as he notched his third of the day and 12th of the season.

Smith’s fourth down conversion made it Giants 6-30 Warriors.

The warriors were relentless. They added another score to the board after a superb offload from Bevan French, who was giving a masterclass. His moment of magic found the hands of Kruise Leeming who completed the Warriors’ move. 5/6 conversions for Smith at this stage and the score read Giants 6-36 Warriors.

Esan Marsters found himself in the sin bin with less than ten minutes to go, meaning the Giants would finish with 12 men. Marsters was penalized for “tangling” Bevan French.

Wigan didn’t take their foot off the gas and ran in for their 7th try of the contest – this time through Abbas Miski on the right, with the Warriors making the most of the extra man. This extended their cushion to 6-42.

Miski managed to take a second shortly after. An outstanding ankle tackle from Leroy Cudjoe stopped Bevan French, who looked certain to have his hat trick. But even with that, the Warriors used their momentum and pushed on for their 8th try of the day, comfortably finished by Miski.

As the clock ticked down, the full-time whistle blew.

Bad day at the office for the Giants.

Full time: Giants 6-48 Warriors.

Giants squad: Connor, Halsall Marsters, Naiqama, Wallis, Lolohea, Clune, Wilson, Milner, English, Rushton, Cudjoe, Yates

Subs: Greenwood, Hewitt, Golding, Ikahihifo, Russell

Try: Wallis

Goals: Connor 1/1

Warriors squad: Field, Misti, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall, French, Smith, Thompson, O’Neill, Byrne, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis

Subs: Harvard, Mago, Lemming, Dupree, Hill

Attempts: Marshall x3, French x2, Leeming, Miski x2

Goals: Smith 7/8

Penalty goal: Smith 1/1

Attendance: 5,334

By James Devine