HALF TIME: Warrington Wolves 14 Huddersfield Giants 2 (From Warrington Guardian)

HALF TIME: Warrington Wolves 14 Huddersfield Giants 2

8:50pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in Wolves news By Mike Parsons

WOLVES hold a handsome lead on a treacherous surface in after a first half played in incessant snow fall.

A Danny Brough seventh-minute penalty goal steered the visitors in front on a numbingly cold night but Wolves did nearly all the pressing in the opening quarter.

When they got close to the Huddersfield line though they struggled to hold on to the ball in the conditions, with Richie Myler particularly bitten by Jack Frost with four knock ons.

But Wolves’ pressure was rewarded in the 21st minute after earning a string of penalties for some messing about at play-the-balls.

An overlap was created on the left where Brett Hodgson linked up with Myler and fed a long pass for Chris Riley to cross in the corner.

A magnificent touchline conversion in the conditions from Hodgson put Wolves in a deserved 6-2 lead.

Giants were not learning after suffering further wrath from referee Ben Thaler and an offside infringement allowed Hodgson to extend the advantage with a further two points from 20 metres out after 30 minutes.

Wolves withstood three sets of six on their own line stemming from two penalties conceded after Chris Hill had knocked on from the restart.

Huddersfield were attempting to turn the screw when Ryan Atkins came up with a special play on such a tricky surface.

He darted out of acting half back and deceptive footwork beat two men and he tore away from Wolves’ 40-metre line.

The left centre had right centre Bridge in support and as the cover closed in he handed over for Stefan Ratchford to finish off with a swan dive.

Hodgson’s extras put Wolves 14-2 in front with 39 minutes played.

Wolves: Brett Hodgson; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Stefan Ratchford, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix, Mike Cooper. Subs: Trent Waterhouse, Ben Currie, Micky Higham, Paul Wood.

Giants: Scott Grix; Jermaine McGilvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Joe Wardle, Aaron Murphy; Danny Brough, Luke Robinson; Stuart Fielden, Shaun Lunt, Craig Kopczak, rett Ferres, Dale Ferguson, Jacob Fairbank. Subs: Eorl Crabtree, David Faiumu, Larne Patrick, Jamie Cording.