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Wigan Warriors went down to their third home defeat of the season as Huddersfield Giants ran out 8-22 winners at the JJB Stadium on Friday night.
This was a tough battle with the winning outcome in doubt until a late Michael Lawrence try from a speculative Robinson kick was grounded with just five minutes left. Kevin Brown added another moments later and the visitors had recorded a win which certainly flattered them with a 14 point margin.
Both sides were able to break open fairly solid defensive lines until that Giants burst late on.
Wigan Coach Brian Noble made a couple of changes from the side that defeated Salford last time out. Amos Roberts returning on the wing and Michael McIlorum on the bench.
The Giants included no less than five former Warriors in their starting line-up in Aspinwall, David Hodgson, Brown, Robinson and Wild.
Both sides looked for the early breakthrough, Robinson for the Giants with a clever short kick deep inside Warriors territory early in the tackle count, Ainscough required to cover to concede a drop out.
The first points came on 9 minutes, Wigan penalised 30 metres out, Brett Hodgson with an easy penalty.
Wigan denied on 11 minutes, Hock looking to stretch over but the second rower was unable to ground the ball.
The Warriors got off the mark on 17 minutes, quick hands, Carmont, Sam Tomkins and Hansen involved, Phil Bailey the final man in support on the right to touch down. Pat Richards missed the conversion from out wide, 4-2.
The visitors drew level just two minutes later through another Hodgson penalty from a similar position to the first, 4-4.
On 28 minutes, Huddersfield got their first try of the game, hooker Scott Moore from dummy half diving over from close range as the Warriors were caught cold defensively. Brett Hodgson added a simple goal, 4-10.
Wigan were denied a scoring opportunity on 34 minute, Leuluai with a kick, O’Loughlin looked certain to gather and cross for a try, Luke Robinson grabbed his shirt, referee Phil Bentham only awarding the Warriors a penalty.
The Giants threatened and looked for a further score but the half time hooter sounded, 4-10.
On 48 minutes Luke Robinson was sent to the sin bin as he prevented Wigan from a quick play the ball deep inside the Warriors half following a kick that had gone dead. This Robinson’s second professional foul of the game. The home side though, unable to take advantage.
The game boiled over on the hour mark, Scott Moore going down injured and a host of players then got involved, Griffin and Hansen pulled out by referee Phil Bentham to be shown yellow cards and ten minutes in the sin bin.
On 64 minutes, Wigan were in for their second try of the night, again quick hands out to the right, Sean O’Loughlin and Phil Bailey combined to send in Amos Roberts in the corner for his second try in cherry and white colours. Richards was unable to land a difficult goal, 8-10.
With five minutes left the Lawrence try as the ball bounced favourably to the Giants centre made it 8-14 and with Hodgson adding the goal it opened up an 8 point score, 8-16 and it was game over.
Kevin Brown added a further try with moments left which Hodgson goaled and it ended 8-22, a score that flattered the visitors.
Wigan Warriors: Pat Richards,
Amos Roberts,
George Carmont,
Phil Bailey,
Shaun Ainscough,
Sam Tomkins,
Thomas Leuluai,
Paul Prescott,
Mark Riddell,
Andy Coley,
Harrison Hansen,
Gareth Hock,
Sean O'Loughlin
Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina,
Michael McIlorum,
Stuart Fielden,
Joel Tomkins
Tries: Amos Roberts,
Phil Bailey
Goals:
Huddersfield Giants Brett Hodgson, Martin Aspinwall, Michael Lawrence, Paul Whatuira, David Hodgson, Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson, Keith Mason, Scott Moore, Darrell Griffin, Jamahl Lolesi, Stephen Wild, Simon Finnigan
Subs: David Faiumu, Eorl Crabtree, Andy Raleigh, Danny Kirmond
Tries: - Moore, Lawrence, Brown
Goals: B Hodgson 5
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