GUTS and determination of Wolves’ under 19s players have been highlighted in the wake of moving to the summit of the Academy Championship thanks to victory at Huddersfield Giants.

Young Wolves scored a 17-8 success in a match made difficult by driving rain and cold temperatures at Huddersfield RU YMCA in Huddersfield.

After trailing 8-4 at half time, Wolves won the second half 13-0 with Brad Goulding and Harvet Livett scoring crucial tries.

Wolves under 19s head coach Danny Fullerton said: “I was delighted for the players as once again they have shown how much guts and determination they have to succeed against a very good Huddersfield team.

“The first half was a real arm wrestle. I thought Huddersfield kept hold of the ball better than us and tested us at times but we showed great resilience in defence and were only caught out by a lack of concentration which they took full advantage of and scored with a kick from the scrum but then we bounced back with a well taken try by Declan Patton.

“At half time we spoke about simplifying our go-forward and making some smarter choices with the ball in hand and we knew we had to maintain our mentality in defence and be prepared to muscle up and keep working hard for each other.

“We did just that and showed real guts with our performance in the second half by defending our try line for long periods and kept the opposition scoreless in the second half.

“With the ball in hand we looked a different team and learnt how to build some pressure and make the right choices in the right areas of the field.

I thought Ryan Maneely was awesome and worked tirelessly for the full 80 minutes at loose forward and hooker.

“Tom Walker and George King showed how much grit and determination they have to succeed and they led our go-forward with some punishing carries that really inspired players around them.

“We have now given the whole squad a week off and it is important that the players rest up mentally and physically as we have had a really tough period of away games where emotionally they have invested a lot in to the three impressive away wins, first against Castleford , then Bradford and then against Huddersfield.

“After the break we have another tough challenging phase of games starting away against a strong Wakefield side on Saturday, May 24. We will make sure that we are fully prepared and ready to go for that one.”