Reserves beaten by Huddersfield

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves were narrowly beaten by Huddersfield Giants Reserves at Laund Hill.
• The Warriors crossed for tries through Charlie Yeomans, Noah Hodkinson, Josh Cartwright and Finlay Yeomans (x2).
• FT | Huddersfield Giants Reserves 30-28 Wigan Warriors Reserves.

Wigan Warriors Reserves suffered a first defeat of the season to Huddersfield Giants as they fell to a 30-28 loss at Laund Hill.

The Warriors trailed 12-10 at the break despite tries from Charlie Yeomans and Noah Hodkinson in a closely contested first half.

Wigan turned the game around after the restart to lead after tries from Josh Cartwright and Finlay Yeomans, however, the hosts fought back to claim the two points despite Finlay Yeomans crossing for his second try in the final minutes.

Report

A fast-paced start in West Yorkshire saw each side apply pressure in the early stages from drop outs as Huddersfield almost opened the scoring after six minutes when Matthew Hanley powered over in the corner, however, strong defensive work from the Warriors forced the centre into touch.

The first points of the contest were scored after 14 minutes when Andrew Gill dummied his way over from close range. Oliver Whitford added the extras to give the Giants a 6-0 lead.

Back-to-back high tackles allowed the Warriors to start the set 20m out, and just after Hodkinson was stopped on the left wing, C. Yeomans stepped back inside and through a gap to score. The hosts remained in front after the conversion attempt drifted wide.

A promising Huddersfield attack was strengthened when the Warriors were penalised for a high tackle 5m out which saw Kam Saddique power over from close range on the third tackle. Whitford added the extras to make the score 12-4 after half an hour.

The Warriors reduced the points difference on the hooter off the back of a firm piece of defensive work which saw the hosts loose possession following a big hit. From the scrum the ball found Hodkinson who broke through a gap 40m out to accelerate clear and score between the sticks. Ratchford added the extras to make the score 12-10 at the break.

Huddersfield applied pressure to the Warriors defence from the restart which eventually led to their third try of the afternoon when an overlap on the left wing saw Baily Fitzgibbon touch down. The Giants were unable to add the extras as their lead remained 16-10 on 45 minutes.

The Warriors produced an instant response when a clever switch of play from Ratchford saw the ball worked to Cartwright on the right wing who acrobatically dived over before the contest was levelled from the touchline.

From the restart an electric Austin Daniel break took the Warriors 40m out before the set was restarted following a Huddersfield knock on. Wigan attacked down the right edge from the scrum as F. Yeomans’ smart dummy created space for the centre to score before Ratchford successfully added the extras to put the Warriors 22-16 ahead.

Despite keeping out multiple Huddersfield carries through the middle, the Warriors were unable to prevent the hosts from levelling the contest on the hour when Max Merta was first to ground Leo Ward’s grubber kick. Huddersfield regained the lead with 10 minutes remaining when Ethane Wainwright’s kick through on the final tackle bounced kindly back into his hands to score as Whitford’s kick made the score 28-22.

The hosts widened their lead on 74 minutes when Whitford successfully kicked two more points from the tee after the Warriors were penalised for a high tackle. Despite F. Yeomans touching down his second try of the game, and Ratchford adding the extras from out wide, Wigan were unable to add further points in the closing stages as Huddersfield held on to win 30-28.

Huddersfield Giants: Oliver Whitford, Beau Morrison, Matthew Hanley, Darius Carter, Baily Fitzgibbon, Ethane Wainwright, Leo Ward, Charlie Land, Andrew Gill, Jacob Algar, Max Merta, Zac Brown, Jack Johnson.

Interchanges: Noah Broadbent, Roman Sharma, Kameron Siddique, Aahren Scott.

18th Player: Thomas Hardy.

Tries: Gill (14′), Saddique (30′), Fitzgibbon (45′), Merta (60′), Wainwright (70′).

Goals: Whitford (5/6).

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Josh Cartwright, Finlay Yeomans, Austin Daniel, Harry Higham, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Purtill, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Tom Ratchford, Ryan Brown, Finley Beardsworth, George O’Loughlin, Finlay Irwin.

Interchanges: Harlen Smith, Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Mike Porter.

18th Player: Jaiden Drachenberg.

Tries: C. Yeomans (22′), Hodkinson (39′), Cartwright (50′), F. Yeomans (54′, 78′).

Goals: Ratchford (4/5).