Warriors Academy defeat Giants

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy extended their winning run to five matches with a victory over Huddersfield Giants at Robin Park Arena.
• Lukas Mason, Kalum Rathbone and Maddox Jeffery each scored twice as the Warriors scored 10 tries to take the two points.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Academy 52-4 Huddersfield Giants Academy.

Wigan Warriors Academy extended their winning run to five matches after a 52-4 win over Huddersfield Giants at Robin Park Arena.

After winning their previous four matches, the Warriors scored 10 tries in a dominant display to continue their impressive run of form.

Report

Following a scoreless opening 10 minutes in difficult weather conditions, the Warriors found the breakthrough when Tom Ratchford dummied his way over before Jack Farrimond successfully added the extras after 13 minutes.

Farrimond increased the lead four minutes later when he was in support of Taylor Kerr, who had broken through the line at speed, to take in the offload and score. Farrimond added the extras from the tee.

A third try came after 23 minutes when, after Ratchford was initially held up, the Warriors worked the ball wide to Lukas Mason who went over from close range. Farrimond continued his success from the tee to give Wigan an 18-0 lead.

The Warriors continued to dominate, and after a knock on was forced to regain possession, a short pass set up Kalum Rathbone to crash over beneath the sticks. The extras were added to further extend Wigan’s advantage before the half hour mark.

Huddersfield momentarily reduced the points difference when Harrison Dodd forced his way over in the corner, but the Warriors added a fifth try on 35 minutes when Mason dived over for his second of the half.

The Cherry and Whites increased their advantage with the final action of the half when Maddox Jeffery reacted first to touch down after a delicate kick over the top. Farrimond added the extras to give Wigan a 34-4 lead at the break.

Wigan started the second half how they finished the first as Maddox ran in his second try in the corner after quick play off the back of the scrum. With the conditions worsening, the conversion rebounded off the post.

John Duffy’s side scored an eighth try when Rathbone fended off an attempted tackle to touch down from close range. Farrimond kicked Wigan into a 44-4 lead after 55 minutes.

Despite Huddersfield thwarting successive Wigan attacks, two tries in five minutes further widened the score line to 52-4. First George O’Loughlin dived over in the left hand corner off the back of quick passing, before Trent Kelly-Duffy touched down Farrimond’s kick over the top.

The Warriors were reduced to 12-men for the remainder of the match when Joe Baldwin was shown a yellow card with eight minutes to go, however, no further points were scored as the Warriors recorded an impressive victory.

Wigan Warriors Academy: Noah Hodkinson, Maddox Jeffery, Josh Cartwright, Nathan Lowe, George O’Loughlin, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Ryan Brown, Tom Ratchford, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Taylor Kerr.

Interchanges: Harrison Dean, Joe Baldwin, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Kalum Rathbone.

18th Player: Reece Rowcroft.

Tries: Ratchford (13′), Farrimond (17′), Mason (23′, 35′), Rathbone (28′, 55), Jeffery (39, 43′), O’Loughlin (62′), T. Kelly-Duffy (65′).

Goals: Farrimond (6/10).

Sin Bin: Baldwin (72′).

Huddersfield Giants Academy: Oliver Whitford, Matthew Hanley, Jack Hudson, Darius Carter, Harrison Dodd, Tyler Ellis, Leo Ward, Max Donbavand, Aahren Scott, Kameron Siddique, Max Merta, Luke Breedon, Matthew Thornton.

Interchanges: Billy Stead, Lucas Child, Jack

18th Man: Andrew Gill.

Tries: Dodd (30′).

Goals: Hanley (0/1).

Sin Bin: N/A

Referee: Alan Billington.