DANNY Brough may have ‘kicked Wolves to death’ on Friday night but Huddersfield Giants found a Warrington side unable to save themselves.
Tony Smith’s outfit appeared dead and buried at the break having failed to trouble the scoreboard and rarely threatened to do so.
A brief revival in the second half saw Wolves offer The Halliwell Jones faithful some hope that this game was still alive, but that hope was extinguished within five minutes when Brough stuck the boot in.
The bounce on his kick wrong-footed full back Stefan Ratchford and sent in Aaron Murphy for what proved the killer blow.
From there, as Wolves chased a game that was getting away from them, the hosts were opened up by an uncharacteristic error from Daryl Clark – whose pass was intercepted by Jermaine McGillvary – and an Eorl Crabtree barge over.
It was the first time Wolves had suffered defeat to Huddersfield since 2011, and a first win against Smith’s side for his former employers in 12 attempts.
It was 80 minutes that summed up a frustrating season for Wolves so far, lacking the invention to open up a solid Giants defence at one end – and struggling to deal with an impressive kicking game at the other.
Showing only glimpses of what they are capable of proved too little for Wolves against a Huddersfield side who made it four successive wins and leapfrogged their hosts in the table with this victory.
Brough may have been the game-changer, but it was half back partner Jamie Ellis who produced a superb bit of skill to dive on his own kick after threading a grubber between the posts.
Giants’ number six then took centre stage, a drop goal edging them two scores ahead and a perfect kick sending Murphy in for his first.
Wolves remain a side a final pass or piece of creativity from turning their pressure into points, but they came close on occasions through Ben Westwood and two charge downs from youngster Joe Philbin.
When Gareth O’Brien did cross for Wolves’ first it was from a clever Chris Bridge pass, before Joel Monaghan’s superb flick sent Kevin Penny over in the corner during a 15-minute purple patch.
But those moments are so far too few this season for Smith’s perennial late bloomers.
INTERESTING NOTES
Wolves’ first loss to Giants since 2011, after 11 games unbeaten (10 wins, one draw)
First back-to-back defeats of Super League season for Warrington
Wolves not won both Easter games since 2010 (Salford home, Hull FC away)
Warrington only won once on i-pitch since Vikings’ return to Super League
MATCH FACTS
Super League Round 7, Friday, March 27, 2015
Warrington Wolves...10
Huddersfield Giants...29
Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Kevin Penny, Joel Monaghan, Ryan Atkins, Matthew Russell; Chris Bridge, Gareth O’Brien; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Currie, James Laithwaite, Ben Westwood. Subs: Micky Higham, Roy Asotasi, Joe Philbin, George King.
Giants: Scott Grix; Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Joe Wardle, Aaron Murphy; Danny Brough, Jamie Ellis; Craig Huby, Luke Robinson, Craig Kopczak, Brett Ferres, Jack Hughes, Ukuma Ta’ai. Subs: Eorl Crabtree, Michael Lawrence, Kyle Wood, Anthony Mullally.
Scoring: Ellis try, 6mins, Brough goal, 0-6; Brough drop goal, 40mins, 0-7; Murphy try, 46mins, Brough goal, 0-13; O’Brien try, 47mins, O’Brien goal, 6-13; Penny try, 62mins, 10-13; Murphy try, 67mins, 10-17; McGillvary try, 74mins, Brough goal, 10-23; Crabtree try, 79mins, Brough goal, 10-29.
Penalties: Wolves 6 Giants 3
Referee: Phil Bentham
Attendance: 9,019
Top man: Joe Philbin
Watch highlights here:
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