WARRINGTON WOLVES 34 HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 24
DAVID KUZIO, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Sunday

INSPIRED performances from George Williams and Danny Walker helped Warrington overcome a spirited Huddersfield side to boost their slender hopes of a top-two finish. 

The Wolves found themselves behind inside the first 15 minutes through Sam Halsall, but they hit back with four unanswered tries by Danny Walker, James Bentley, Sam Powell and George Williams to lead 22-4 at half-time. 

Halsall scored the first try of the second half – like he did in the first – and despite the Giants launching a comeback with three more tries, Warrington ran out deserving winners in the end.

Warrington started the game strongly with Williams, Walker and Lachlan Webster causing a host of problems. James Bentley twice went close to scoring, but it was the Giants who posted the first points. 

On the last, Adam Clune opted to run and found Jacob Gagai in space; the centre then put in a neat kick and it evaded Albert Hopoate to allow Halsall to touch down for an unconverted try.

Walker almost went through a gap and seconds later he threw an interception to Zac Woolford, but as the hooker raced off downfield, referee Marcus Griffiths brought him back for offside.

Walker then went over from close range. Leon Hayes converted to put Warrington in front. 

Walker was withdrawn after 26 minutes, but his absence did not stop the Wire from exerting their dominance.

Webster made a great run to set them up, before Williams and James Harrison combined to send Bentley over – the ball from the prop was sublime. Hayes converted and Warrington led 12-4. 

Two more tries came before the break. Sam Powell was the beneficiary after Toby King collected a towering ball; he found Ben Currie, who turned it inside for Powell to score. 

In the 34th minute Ashton found space down the left and passed inside for Williams to use his strength to get the ball down.

Warrington attempted to extend their lead after the break with a penalty, but Hayes failed to hit the target. 

Moments later Halsall got his second. A kick over the top from Clune found the winger in space and then he used his strength to get the ball down. Flanagan converted and the Giants had a glimmer of hope at 22-10. 

Six minutes later as Hopoate did well to juggle a high kick from Hayes without it hitting a defender; he then managed to offload and send Lindop over to score.

Hopoate almost grabbed a try of his own as he backed up a run from Currie, but he was thwarted by a great tackle from Flanagan.

A penalty for a high shot then allowed Hayes to extend their lead to 28-10.

But the Giants refused to lie down and Sam Hewitt was put through a massive gap to score after Clune got them moving with a half-break.

Warrington were losing their composure now. From being 28-10 up, they found their lead cut to just eight points as the Giants went wide with Connor Wrench scoring against his former team. 

Warrington needed a spark and the re-introduction of Walker brought the best out of them.

Williams’ cutout ball found King, and he quickly passed it on for Matty Ashton to score. Hayes converted to extend the gap to 14 points. 

With the clock ticking down, Huddersfield did close the gap again with Gagai refusing to give in and he grabbed a try his performance deserved. They trailed by ten but there was not enough time for them to pinch it.

GAMESTAR: George Williams looks back to his best and if he stays fit, Warrington could have a major say in the race to the Grand Final.

GAMEBREAKER: This was a difficult one because it did not look like it at the time, but Leon Hayes’ penalty proved to be crucial.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: The way Albert Hopoate managed to juggle the ball without dropping it and offloading for Arron Lindop to score was brilliant.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts George Williams (Warrington)
2 pts Danny Walker (Warrington)
1 pts Jacob Gagai (Huddersfield)

MATCHFACTS

WOLVES
35 Lachlan Webster
4 Albert Hopoate
23 Arron Lindop
3 Toby King
5 Matty Ashton
6 George Williams
19 Leon Hayes
16 Liam Byrne
9 Danny Walker
10 James Harrison
20 James Bentley
12 Sam Stone
13 Ben Currie
Subs (all used)
14 Sam Powell
17 Jordan Crowther
25 Max Wood
34 Kelepi Tanginoa
18th man (not used)
11 Adam Holroyd
Also in 21-man squad
1 Cai Taylor-Wray
18 Ewan Irwin
21 Luke Thomas

Tries: Walker (22), Bentley (28), Powell (30), Williams (34), Lindop (54), Ashton (71)
Goals: Hayes 5/8

GIANTS
21 George Flanagan
5 Sam Halsall
3 Jacob Gagai
34 Connor Wrench
4 Taane Milne
6 Tui Lolohea
7 Adam Clune
14 Fenton Rogers
9 Zac Woolford
16 George King
20 Mathieu Cozza
12 Sam Hewitt
13 Harry Rushton
Subs (all used)
8 Tristan Powell
17 Joe Greenwood
26 Archie Sykes
40 Cole Geyer
18th man (not used)
29 Tanguy Zenon
Also in 21-man squad
1 Niall Evalds
42 Lewis Jagger
45 Oliver Leyland

Tries: Halsall (14, 49), Hewitt (63), Wrench (65), Gagai (77)
Goals: Flanagan 2/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 6-4, 12-4, 18-4, 22-4; 22-10, 26-10, 28-10, 28-16, 28-20, 34-20, 34-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Wolves: George Williams; Giants: Jacob Gagai

Penalty count: 5-5
Half-time: 22-4
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Attendance: 10,034