21 Jun 2019

GIANTS LOSE TO CHAMPIONS

Huddersfield Giants 22-38 Wigan Warriors

A tough second-half saw the Huddersfield Giants fall to a 22-38 defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium against Wigan Warriors.

The Senior twins were on the flanks in the absence of injury victims Jermaine McGillvary and Aquila Uate for the visit of the Wigan Warriors to the John Smiths Stadium with Kruise Leeming , Sam Hewitt and Sebastine Ikahihifo back in the pack.

The Warriors had the better territorially of the early exchanges and took the lead on the back of a penalty with a Chris Hankinson try on the right goaled by the try scorer. The Giants though quickly hit back with a scorching 50 metre run on the right the inside pass putting Sam Hewitt over for a quality try.

Lee Gaskell’s conversion levelled the scores but the parity did not last long as a quick play the ball paved the way for a Sean O’Loughlin try , Chris Hankinson adding the extras. The Giants tried manfully to hit back with Adam O’Brien almost over and consecutive goal line drop outs being forced.

The Giants could not though break the Wigan defence and on 31 minutes good work by Zak Hardaker and an error by the Giants paved way for a Liam Marshall try again converted by Chris Hankinson. As half time approached the Giants had a spell on attack and reduced the arrears with a Matt Frawley try, Lee Gaskell adding the extras, the Giants going in at the half time hooter with a 6 point deficit.

Early Wigan pressure at the beginning of the second half quickly led to a Joe Burgess try in the left corner with the Giants defence being found wanting and although Hankinson missed the conversion he soon kicked a penalty goal to stretch the lead to 12 points.

A Louis Senior break raised Giants hopes but there was no end product and when Zak Hardaker made another run Leuluai went over from 10 metres out . Hankinson’s conversion virtually sealed the result and he added another penalty goal shortly after, this coming after Ukuma Ta’ai had a try ruled for a double movement.

George Williams then got a short range try by the posts goaled by Chris Hankinson to give his side a 26 point advantage but that was the end of the Warrior’s scoring, the Giants finishing with a flourish. Louis Senior Senior made a 40 metre run down the right to finish with a fine try, Lee Gaskell adding the extras and this was followed by a Jordan Turner unconverted try leaving the deficit to 16 points. A melee among the players led to the sinbinning of Ukuma Ta’ai and Willie Isa as the game ended with tempers rather stretched.

Despite the scoreline the Giants had competed strongly but lack of composure and defensive lapses had cost them .Another stern test lies ahead next time out at Wakefield Friday 28 June kick off 7.45pm.

Attendance: 5,578

Huddersfield Giants

Starting XIII: McIntosh, I Senior, Turner, Murphy, L Senior; Gaskell, Frawley; Clough, O’Brien, Matagi; Roberts, Mellor, English.

Replacements:Leeming, Hewitt, Ikahihifo, Ta’ai.

Tries:Hewitt (12’), Frawley (36’), L Senior (73’), Turner (76’)

Goals:Gaskell (3/4)

Sin Bins: Ukuma Ta’ai (80’)

Set Completion: 23/32 (72%)

Wigan Warriors

Starting XIII: Hardaker, Marshall, Hankinson, Gildart, Burgess; Williams, Leuluai; Clubb, Powell, Navarrete; Isa, Farrell, O’Loughlin.

Replacements:Smithies, Sammut, Partington, Greenwood.

Tries: Hankinson (7’), O’Loughlin (18’), Marshall (29’), Burgess (45’), Leuluai (55’), Williams (66’),