Academy extend winning run against Giants

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy recorded a ninth consecutive win with a victory over Huddersfield Giants.
• The Warriors crossed for seven tries to remain joint top of the Academy League table.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Academy 36-16 Huddersfield Giants Academy.

Wigan Warriors Academy scored seven tries to defeat Huddersfield Giants Academy 36-16 at Wigan RUFC.

A dominant first half performance from Wigan saw Austin Daniel, Noah Hodkinson, Joshua Cartwright, Kian McDermott, Finlay Yeomans and Jack Farrimond score tries for a 30-4 lead at the break.

Leo Wadsworth increased the points difference at the start of the second half as the Warriors stormed to a ninth consecutive victory.

Report

A strong start from the Warriors was rewarded with the opening points of the match when a quick show of hands down the right edge saw Daniel score in the corner. Despite a missed conversion, Wigan led 4-0 with three minutes on the clock.

The Warriors extended their lead on seven minutes when a short pass from Farrimond found Hodkinson who dummied his way through a gap in the Huddersfield defence to score. Farrimond added the extras for a 10-0 lead.

The hosts continued to apply pressure to the Huddersfield defence which resulted in a third try when a cut-out pass from Hodkinson allowed Cartwright to dive over unopposed in the left corner to make the score 14-0 after 10 minutes.

The visitors responded eight minutes later with their first points of the afternoon when a powerful carry from Logan Blacker saw the fullback ground under the pressure of three Warriors. The score remained at 14-4 following an unsuccessful conversion attempt.

A weaving run through the middle of the Huddersfield defence saw Taylor Kerr offload to the supporting Kalum Rathbone who pass back inside allowed McDermott to race clear for a fourth try. Farrimond added the extras to make the score 20-4 after 25 minutes.

The Warriors asserted further pressure on the Huddersfield defence before the break which resulted in two more tries. First F. Yeomans broke through a gap to score on the right side before two sharp steps from Farrimond saw the half-back score a converted try between the sticks for a 30-4 lead at half time.

Wigan added a seventh try three minutes after the restart when a powerful carry from Wadsworth saw the forward break through two tacklers to score. Farrimond successfully kicked the extras to increase the score to 36-4.

The Warriors were unable to add further points in the contest whilst Huddersfield twice cut the points difference. First a kick through from Marshall Land was grounded by Matthew Hanley on 51 minutes before Andrew Gill dived over between the posts in the final 10 minutes with Leo Ward adding both kicks.

A 36-16 victory for the Warriors brought up a ninth consecutive win as Wigan sit level on points at the top of the table with two matches remaining.

Wigan Warriors Academy: Noah Hodkinson, Austin Daniel, Finlay Yeomans, Nathan Lowe, Joshua Cartwright, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Jack Purtill, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, George O’Loughlin, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.

Interchanges: Harlen Smith, Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Kian McDermott.

18th Player: Michael Porter.

Tries: Daniel (3′), Hodkinson (7′), Cartwright (10′), McDermott (25′), F. Yeomans (31′), Farrimond (36′), Wadsworth (43).

Goals: Farrimond (4/7).

Huddersfield Giants Academy: Logan Blacker, Roman Sharma, Matthew Hanley, Beau Morrison, Baily Fitzgibbon, Marshall Land, Leo Ward, Charlie Land, Monty Lumb, Noah Broadbent, Max Merta, Matthew Thornton, Haryley Firth.

Interchanges: Andrew Gill, Thomas Hardy, Luke Breedon, Samuel Beety.

18th Player: Aahren Scott.

Tries: Blacker (18′), Hanley (51′), Gill (70′).

Goals: Ward (2/3).