Warriors win in Round 4

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Huddersfield Giants at The Brick Community Stadium.
• Liam Farrell grabbed a brace with further tries from Eckersley, Marshall, French, Wardle, Field and Leeming.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 44-18 Huddersfield Giants.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Huddersfield Giants at The Brick Community Stadium in Round 4 of Betfred Super League action.

A late change to the line-up for Huddersfield saw Tui Lolohea omitted, replaced by George Flanagan as Matty English was named at 18th.

It was Huddersfield had the early chance as Liam Sutcliffe made a break away before being halted by Jai Field. The following play saw Adam Clune send a kick through, chasing it himself he was beaten by Liam Marshall in-goal to see the ball go for a drop out. The resulting set allowed Adam Swift to dive in at the corner for the opening try, the touchline conversion from Sutcliffe was on target as the visitors had the early 6-0 advantage.

Wigan responded in the 12th minute as Liam Farrell went over in front of the south stand. Bevan French sent Zach Eckersley dancing through the defence, before the winger got the ball inside to Farrell to ease over. Adam Keighran added the two to level the scores.

After a period of defence, which saw Wigan see out two six again calls for the Giants in their own 10m territory, Wigan got themselves in front just before the half hour mark as a clever pass from French sent Keighran through a gap, before getting the ball to Eckersley to go over on the right edge. From the touchline, Keighran’s conversion attempt was just wide but Wigan had the 10-6 edge with 10 minutes until the break.

Two late scores in the opening for the Giants took them into the break with an 8-point lead as Sam Hewitt powered over close to the uprights before George Flanagan extended the lead in front of the travelling supporters. Liam Sutcliffe converted the two scores to make it 18-10 to the visitors at the turnaround.

The Warriors started the second half with a successful Captains challenge as Tyler Dupree had the ball stolen. From the resulting penalty, the Warriors got into the Huddersfield half and a kick on the last from Harry Smith caused some trouble in the in-goal before eventually finding Liam Farrell to ground for his second of the game. Keighran converted and Wigan were back within two.

Wigan got back ahead in the 49th minute as Liam Marshall went over in the left corner. Quick hands from the Warriors saw Field and Wardle combine to send the winger flying onto a ball and diving in. Keighran from the touchline was perfect from the tee to make it 22-18 to Wigan with half an hour to go.

With Matt Peet’s side looking to extend their advantage, a 40/20 from Harry Smith got Wigan upfield for another chance at the Huddersfield goal line. From the restart Bevan French muscled his way over under immense Giants pressure and after a check with the video referee, the score was awarded. Keighran couldn’t convert from out wide but Wigan had the 8-point swing at 26-18.

With 15 to go, Harry Smith struck another 40/20 to get Wigan in good field position. Quick play from Wigan saw Harvie Hill bursting onto a ball to crash over but the video referee made the No Try decision for an obstruction in the build-up. A second No Try decision was given just moments later as Kruise Leeming thought he’d gone over, but the hooker couldn’t ground the ball cleanly and it remained 26-18.

Adam Swift made a diving effort in the left corner in the 72nd minute as Huddersfield looked for a fightback but fantastic cover defence from Jai Field saw him get the tackle away on Swift, who knocked on in the air as Wigan survived. Wigan then flew down the other end of the field, with Jake Wardle on hand to collect and dive over. Adam Keighran knocked over the two-pointer to get Wigan out to 32-18 going into the final five minutes.

Jai Field put on a fantastic individual move which saw him evade the defence, and with options on his left he sold a dummy before continuing his run to score himself. Keighran knocked over the conversion to make it 38-18 but Kruise Leeming had the final say of the game as an another flowing move saw the hooker fly through a gap and race to the try line. Keighran converted once again for a 44-18 victory for Wigan.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Tom Forber.

18th Player: Harvey Makin.

Tries: Farrell (12′, 42′), Eckersley (29′), Marshall (49′), French (60′), Wardle (74′), Field (76′), Leeming (78′)

Goals: Keighran 6/8

Huddersfield Giants: Jacob Gagai, Adam Swift, Jake Bibby, Liam Sutcliffe, Aidan McGowan, George Flanagan, Adam Clune, Oliver Wilson, Ashton Golding, Fenton Rogers, Jack Murchie, Sam Hewitt, Leroy Cudjoe.

Interchange: Taane Milne, Tom Burgess, Harry Rushton, Tom Deakin.

18th Player: Matty English.

Tries: Swift (4′), Hewitt (34′), Flanagan (38′)

Goals: Sutcliffe 3/3

Referee: Liam Moore.

Attendance: 17,625

Thanks to all the publications in attendance at the fixture: Wigan Today, Love Rugby League, All Out Rugby League, PA, Total Rugby League.