GIANTS EDGED OUT BY WIRE IN ROUND 1

Huddersfield Giants gutsy performance ultimately counted for nothing as Warrington edged out a 12-20 victory at the John Smith's Stadium.

A tight and cagey first ten minutes, George Williams and Warrington had an unsuccessful Captain’s Challenge due to the superb covering defence of Tui Lolohea, as he took a high Williams kick in his own in goal area.

The first score of the game through the Tongan half back – Lolohea in the 26th minute. A hanging kick wasn’t fielded by the Wire defence and was gathered by Joe Greenwood for the Luke Robinson’s side. A looping pass from dummy half found Lolohea who scored in the corner with a spectacular swan dive. Danny Richardson on his Giants debut added the extras. 6-0 in favour to the hosts. 

With five minutes left of the first half, the Giants had their Captain’s Challenge deemed unsuccessful as skipper and veteran Leroy Cudjoe thought his ball steal attempt was legal but it was deemed a correct Referee's call.

The Wolves finally penetrated the Giants defence as young winger Arron Lindop ghosted through soft shoulders to score with less than a minute left of the first half. Stefan Ratchford missed the extras leaving the score at 6-4 at half time. 

Matty Ashton then scored with the Wire's first attack of the second half. A floating ball from the from full-back Matt Dufty found Ashton with a yard of space – which sent the travelling Wire fans into delirium. Ratchford added another two points to his afternoons tally. That score gave Sam Burgess’s side the lead for the first time this afternoon. 6-10. 

Half way through the second half, Warrington capitalised on their momentum as a short ball from Dufty found centre Toby King on a hard line, and he crashed over. Ratchford couldn’t extend the Wolves’ lead leaving the score at 6-14 in favour of the visitors. 

A bulldozing run close to the line from a few metres out Greenwood barged his way over the tight Wire defence. But the try was scrutinised by the video referee for the grounding of the try. Richardson closed the gap to two points. 12-14 with 11 minutes left. 

Wire sealed the deal with five minutes left on the clock after a delicate kick from Dufty pierced the Giants defence and the full back gathered his kick to score for the Wolves. Josh Thewlis took over kicking duties and knocked over two points to take the score to 12-20.

It was a massive effort from Luke Robinson's men in Round 1, but unfortunately the two points would go to the away side as numerous errors cost us in our debut 2025 campaign.

TRIES

Lolohea, Greenwood

GOALS

Richardson 2/2

By Ben Sheard.