Wigan Warriors were beaten for the third Super League game in a row as the Huddersfield Giants inflicted a 4-34 defeat at the JJB Stadium on Friday night.

The Warriors were guilty of too many mistakes which allowed the Giants easy points. Wigan found themselves 0-18 down at half time and a further try in the opening sixty seconds of the second period put Huddersfield into a commanding 0-24 lead. Wigan were even reduced to 12 men late on as Gareth Hock was red carded for dissent.

Wigan were simply unable to get any momentum as the visitors racked up a famous win and seriously dented the Warriors top four aspirations. The Giants scored six tries to the Warriors one and fully deserved the win.

The Giants side included no less than five former Warriors players in the starting thirteen in Aspinwall, Brown, Hodgson, Robinson and Wild with another in Jones on the bench.

The Warriors welcomed back Phil Bailey after injury and Pat Richards after illness while Tim Smith debuted off the bench.

Wigan wasted a good attacking opportunity after Trent Barrett had put in a great 40/20 kick on four minutes. The Warriors were unable to take advantage of a good position.

The first points of the night went to the Giants from the boot of Chris Thorman on 9 minutes through a penalty, 0-2.

On 22 minutes Huddersfield went close to the games first try as Kirmond was held over on his back over the line. It wasn’t long before the try came as a Robinson kick was seized upon by David Hodgson as he stretched out to get a touch in the bottom left hand corner. Thorman hit a great conversion to make it 0-8.

Then saw the introduction of debutant Tim Smith brought on off the bench.

On 31 minutes a mistake by Gareth Hock 30 metres from his own line saw the ball stolen by centre Paul Whatuira who raced away to score out wide, this time Thorman missed the extras, 0-12.

The visitors were in again on 36 minutes, a mistake this time by George Carmont close to the Giants line saw Martin Aspinwall race away. The former Warrior didn’t have the speed to go all the way but the Giants were quick to play the ball and it was Andy Raleigh who was able to grab the Giants third try. Thorman hit the goal, 0-18 at the interval.

Things were soon to get worse for the cherry and whites, a mistake by Trent Barrett as he knocked on straight from the kick off allowed Huddersfield immediate possession and within sixty seconds Jamahl Lolesi was able to get the better of George Carmont to cross for the try. The conversion from the Giants stand off Thorman and the score was now 0-24.

On 48 minutes another mistake by the Warriors in their own 20 metre area allowed Ryan Hudson to score try number five for the Giants although it had to be said there looked to have been a lost ball and a knock on in the play just before. Thorman’s extras and it was now 0-30.

Wigan finally opened their account on 59 minutes through a Pat Richards try but by then Huddersfield had the game in the bag. Richards even missed the simple goal, it was another one of those nights, 4-30.

The Warriors play was summed up as Joel Tomkins knocked on with the try line begging on 67 minutes.

The night got worse for the Warriors as Hock was shown a red card by Ian Smith on 74 minutes. The referee denied Hock a try as he looked to ground the ball on his back. It can only be presumed it was something the second rower said to the official as Smith went to his top pocket and sent Hock on his way.

David Hodgson crossed again in the corner late on and it finished 4-34, the conversion was missed. It was a totally miserable night for the Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors: Pat Richards, Liam Colbon, George Carmont, Darrell Goulding, Cameron Phelps, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Andy Coley, Mick Higham, Stuart Fielden, Gareth Hock, Phil Bailey, Joel Tomkins
Subs: Tim Smith, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Eamon O'Carroll, Harrison Hansen

Tries: Pat Richards
Goals:

Huddersfield Giants: Leroy Cudjoe, Martin Aspinwall, Kevin Brown, Paul Whatuira, David Hodgson, Chris Thorman, Luke Robinson, Keith Mason, Ryan Hudson, Andy Raleigh, Jamahl Lolesi, Stephen Wild, Danny Kirmond
Subs: Stuart Jones, Steve Snitch, Paul Jackson, Darrell Griffin

Tries: Hodgson 2, Whatuira, Raleigh, Lolesi, Hudson
Goals: Thorman 5