IN many ways, this game went as expected.

Not just in terms of the result – Warrington Wolves were always going to start as solid favourites – but perhaps in terms of The Wire’s performance in their first game for 17 days.

The rest definitely showed in their energy levels as they looked sharp throughout, but the ring rust it brings was certainly evident, too.

For the amount of ball they had and with ample opportunity to attack the line, they should have scored more than the eight points they managed in the first half and the 19 overall.

There are more mitigating circumstances – the early loss of Josh Charnley forced square pegs into round holes while Jason Clark coming off limited Steve Price’s interchange options.

> Update on Charnley and Jason Clark injuries

Warrington Guardian:

Some of it can be put down to bad luck – Gareth Widdop saw a try ruled out for a forward pass that appeared marginal – while some of the Giants’ defending was heroic at times.

Still, though, question marks over their execution close to the opposition line remain and the fact remains that as play-off time nears, the need to be more clinical is pressing.

After starting brightly, the errors started to stack up and they found themselves repeatedly on the wrong end of Robert Hicks’ frantically waving arm to call “six again” in the Giants’ favour.

In conceding tries either side of half time, the story looked like it was going to follow a familiar pattern to so many of late.

Then, a flash of inspiration and a moment of pure brilliance that turned the game back in Warrington’s favour.

> WATCH: Price on the 'gold standard play' that turned things Wire's way and a 'gritty' display

There will have been many a Wire fan that would have been reaching for cushions to hide behind when Daryl Clark jumped down the blind side on the final tackle while on his own 30-metre line.

When the move ended in the same player touching down 70 metres further up the pitch following a superb link-up involving Ben Currie, Toby King, Josh Thewlis and Stefan Ratchford, those cushions could have been thrust away in celebration.

Warrington Guardian: Warrington Guardian:

It was brave and laced with risk, but it certainly got the rewards and showed the kind of heads-up, off-the-cuff play supporters have been crying out to see more of.

However the play-offs look, The Wire must go in with momentum, creating a wave that will carry them to Hull for the Grand Final.

It is only a ripple at the moment, but the way in which they were able to reorganise and regroup in this game will bring confidence.

Warrington Guardian:

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wire’s sixth straight win over Huddersfield

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round 21

Friday, October 30, 2020

Warrington Wolves...19 Huddersfield Giants...12

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Toby King, Josh Thewlis; Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Jason Clark. Subs: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Joe Philbin, Matt Davis, Danny Walker

Giants: Ashton Golding; Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Jake Wardle, Darnell McIntosh; Lee Gaskell, Aidan Sezer; Ukuma Ta'ai, Brandon Moore, Sam Hewitt, Chris McQueen, Joe Wardle, Michael Lawrence. Subs: Matty English, Oliver Wilson, Jordan Turner, James Gavet

Scoring: D Clark try, 6mins, Ratchford goal, 6-0; Jake Wardle try, 37mins, Sezer goal, 6-6; Ratchford penalty, 40mins, 8-6; Gavet try, 43mins, Sezer goal, 8-12; D Clark try, 50mins, Ratchford goal, 14-12; Gelling try, 58mins, 18-12; Widdop drop goal, 74mins, 19-12

Penalties: Wolves 3 Giants 5

Sin bin: Sezer (72mins, dissent)

Referee: Robert Hicks

Top Man: VOTE HERE