Huddersfield 14 Warrington 33: Crabtree celebrations spoiled by Warrington fightback at Giants

Leading 14-4 at half-time, Paul Anderson’s side looked set to finally chalk up their first home win of the season but despite a man-of-the-match performance from Giants forward Crabtree – celebrating 350 appearances with his hometown club, since making his debut for the Claret and Golds in 2000 – it was the Wolves who dominated after the break to run away with the points.

Crabtree had an immediate impact with his first serious touch of the ball. He picked up possession and ran forward before sending Ukuma Ta’ai racing away, who in turn found the supporting Scott Grix for a superb opening try. Danny Brough converted.

On the day the Giants held a minute’s silence pre-match in memory of former club stalwart, associate director Keith Burhouse, it was fitting that Crabtree, another man who epitomises the Huddersfield club, should have such a huge impact early on.

It was a rare scoring chance in the opening 20 minutes. Winger Jermaine McGillvary – famed for his pace and finishing – showed great defensive strength, while Brough’s kicking continually had Wolves on the back foot.

McGillvary was playing a central role in both defence and attack.

First, he hauled down opposite number Gene Ormsby with the Warrington winger one-on-one as he darted towards the corner, then he broke out to race downfield and only a superb covering tackle by Richard Myler halted further damage.

Brough kicked a penalty to stretch Huddersfield’s lead to 8-0, before the visitors finally opened their account before half-time.

Warrington once again looked to their left flank, and this time McGillvary was caught facing two attackers and visiting centre Rhys Evans was able to scamper over the line.

Stefan Ratchford failed with his conversion attempt before Huddersfield were the beneficiaries of a huge slice of good fortune.

The Giants’ defence allowed Myler’s high punt to bounce, Chris Hill picked the loose ball up only to palm it back into the grateful arms of Brough.

The stand-off blazed through the centre before sending in winger Jodie Broughton for a try, to which Brough added the extras.

It was an impressive opening 40 minutes from the Giants, and a fitting tribute to the club’s centenary celebrations of their record-breaking season which saw Huddersfield win the Championship, Challenge Cup and Yorkshire Cup.

Fifty former Huddersfield legends did a lap of the pitch at half-time, and in years to come Crabtree will surely be among their ranks. Warrington fans greeted his second-half arrival with chants of ‘You’re just a fat Robbie Savage’, but the Wolves fans have a new favourite in the pint-sized Matty Russell.

His pace was a constant danger all afternoon and Wolves eventually exploited a gap in the home defence to haul Tony Smith’s team back into the match at 
14-10 with Ratchford converting Myler’s try.

Huddersfield were now under the cosh, holding out thanks to some fierce defence, highlighted by Ta’ai, who delivered a crunching tackle on Joel Monaghan to win back possession and relieve the pressure.

Warrington though were relentless, pinning the Giants in their own half in the second half.

It was no surprise when the pressure finally brought a try as second row Ben Westwood burst through a gap in the over-worked Giants defence.

Ratchford failed with his conversion, from out wide on the right, to leave the scores finely poised at 14-14 with 15 minutes remaining.

Home centre Leroy Cudjoe limped off to give Anderson an injury scare ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup tie with St Helens.

On the pitch, things deteriorated as Westwood bulldozed through the Giants’ defence, allowing Russell to score.

Chris Bridge took over the kicking duties with the conversion, before Ratchford added a drop-goal to give the visitors a 
21-14 lead.

That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Huddersfield, who were leaving gaps now, and 
winger Ormsby cantered over for a try.

Joel Monaghan rubbed salt into the wounds of the home contingent in the 7,068 crowd by adding a late try to give the scoreline a flattering look, as Bridge converted both late tries.

The Giants have switched their Super League game with Salford Red Devils from Sunday July 6 to 24 hours earlier, Saturday July 5, to avoid a clash with the Tour de France being staged in West Yorkshire.

Huddersfield Giants: Scott Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Ferres, Broughton, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Chan, Ta’ai, Lawrence. Substitutes: Faiumu, Wood, Kaufusi, Johnson.

Warrington Wolves: Russell, Ormsby, Bridge, R. Evans, J. Monaghan, Ratchford, Myler, Hill, Higham, Asotasi, Waterhouse, Westwood, Simon Grix. Substitutes: M. Monaghan, Riley, Laithwaite, B. Evans.

Referee: J Child (RFL).