Warrington turn on the heat, to score 38 unanswered points against Huddersfield at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
The Wolves started the game the quickest, and were on the score sheet within four minutes, after Ben Currie was the quickest to react to a Dec Patton kick. Stefan Ratchford added the extras.
The game became end to end, until the 28th minute, when a bad pass bounced kindly to Chris Hill, who dived over near the posts. Ratchford with the extras.
However, the last 10 minutes of the half would go to the visitors.
The Giants would first score, when Jermaine McGillvary would pick up on some loose possession, and get Louis Senior in. Oliver Russell with the extras.
Soon after, the Giants were in again, this time through Darnell McIntosh, who scored after a quick break by Simon Woolford men. After McGillvary with the assist again. Russell with the extras again.
McIntosh then turned provider after a break through the Wire defence, setting up Alex Mellor under the sticks. Russell with the extras.
In the final moments of the half, Russell slotted home the one pointer from 30 out to make it 12-19 at the break.
That would be the Giants final point in this one, as the Wire would go on to score 38 points in 40 minutes.
Moments into the second half, Bryson Goodwin started the scoring spree, after jumping highest and scoring off a Blake Austin kick. Ratchford adding the extras.
After the giants gave away a few penalties, the Wolves opted to take the two, and Ratchford added the extras.
Blake Austin then got in on the action, and after some dazzling footwork and dummies, found a way under the sticks, giving Ratchford a simple conversion.
Minutes later, after some Wolves pressure, Daryl Clark scooted over near the sticks. Extras added to continue the pressure on the Giants.
Austin then added another try to his tally, after being able to find space to score just before the tackle was completed. Ratchford missed the kick, from a tough angle.
Ten minutes from the hooter, the Wolves were in again, following some back to back sets, Goodwin was in at the corner for his second on the day too. This came after some quick hands from Currie and Austin. Ratchford added the extras.
The final try of the game came through Ben Murdoch-Masila who was in the right place at the right time, to power over the line. Ratchford with his eighth conversion of the game.
The final points of the game came on the hooter, after a penalty from 20 out. After some discussion, the Wolves opted for the two, which Ratchford added on the Hooter.
Up next for the Wolves is an away trip to Castleford, who lost 6-4 yesterday to Wigan. For the Giants is a home game against Wakefield, who lost 30-14 against Hull FC.
FOUR POINTERS
Tale of two halves
In a game that was poised at half time for a shock, the second half was just too much for the Giants. A mix of injures and dominance by the Wolves was too much in the end. With only a handful of victories so far, they will need to keep improving, otherwise it could be a long season for them. Whilst for the Wolves, they showed why they are one of the leading teams this year once again. 38 unanswered points, and getting back to winning ways after a shaky few weeks will only give them the confidence to keep building.
“Back to basics”-Price
Steve Price has praised his sides determination following the game. Saying it was basics that was key, he said this “We actually played some reasonable football in the first half. We jumped out to a 12-0 lead then there was that 10-minute block just prior to half time – error, error, penalty, penalty – next thing we knew we were 19-12 behind. It’s a credit to the playing group; we addressed a few things at half time. To come out and score 38 unanswered points in the second half is a credit to the group and the belief they showed in each other today. It was more about believing in what we do well. We have a good football team here and it’s just about doing the basics well and the basic fundamentals of Rugby League. A high completion rate, turning the ball over in key areas and getting a lot of pride back into our defence.”
“No Excuses”- Woolford
Simon Woolford has slammed his side for their dreadful second half. Commenting after the game, he said this, “The worst thing that happened to us was half time. We played some good footy at the back end of the first half. The second half didn’t start great and we went from bad to worse. There’s no excuses for getting 50 put on us. To go from 19-12 up at half time to 50-19 at full time is not acceptable. At the moment we’re not good enough to go with the top teams, it’s as simple as that.”
Austin is the real deal
After another two tries to his collection, Blake Austin has moved out in front on the top try scoring list, and currently leads the Man of Steel rankings too. With 14 tries in 13 games, the man with the magic hat is showing why he was the biggest talking point before the season. He was my man of the match in this one, and could make this year, the year of the Wire.
THE RESULT
Warrington Wolves 50
Tries: Currie, Hill, Goodwin (2), Austin (2), D Clark, Murdoch-Masila
Goals: Ratchford (9)
Huddersfield Giants 19
Tries: L Senior, McIntosh, Mellor
Goals: Russell (3)
Drop Goals: Russell
SQUADS
Warrington Wolves: Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Toby King, Josh Charnley, Blake Austin, Dec Patton, Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Ben Murdoch-Masilla, Jack Hughes
Interchanges: Joe Philbin, Sitaleki Akauola, Matt Davies, Lama Tasi
Huddersfield Giants: Darnell McIntosh, Jermaine McGillvary, Louis Senior, Innes Senior, Akuila Uate, Oliver Russell, Matt Frawley, Paul Clough, Kruise Leeming, Suaia Matagi, Joe Wardle, Alex MellorMichael Lawrence
Interchanges:Adam O’Brien, Aaron Murphy, Matty English, Ukuma Ta’ai
