Huddersfield Giants 30 Wigan Warriors 38: Giants left to regret failure to capitalise once more

THERE was talk of vigilantism but instead Huddersfield produced hari-kari as they squandered a perfect opportunity to topple Super League leaders Wigan Warriors.

It was just two weeks ago when Wigan incurred the wrath of Giants coach Nathan Brown at Murrayfield after Luke Robinson was felled off the ball by Warriors captain Sean O'Loughlin.

Brown insisted he would allow his players to seek their own retribution if the "little" players did not get more protection from officials and so yesterday all eyes were on what his "enforcers" would produce when they quickly faced each other again.

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Keith Mason, who led Huddersfield out on his 100th Giants appearance, duly hit Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai late twice in the first quarter, the second challenge seeing the prop placed on report, but it was the damage Huddersfield did to themselves that cost them victory in an absorbing contest.

Ex-Wigan winger David Hodgson remarkably scored his fourth Super League hat-trick of the season as the home side – bidding to respond after last week's horror 60-4 Challenge Cup exit against Warrington – delivered plenty of attacking quality but he ended up on the losing side after a series of foolish errors saw them defeated for a third game running and slip to fifth behind West Yorkshire rivals Bradford.

Even though Wigan, who dropped former Giants and Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson for off-field disciplinary reasons, were down to 12 men for a quarter of the game, both Joel Tomkins and Andy Coley sin-binned for interference, Huddersfield contrived to self-destruct.

Leading 20-18 at the break, they were well-placed to push on and get the victory but Joel Tomkins shrugged off Paul Whatuira and Brough's weak tackle attempt to scramble over for his second try on 45 minutes and, when Danny Brough struck the re-start out dead, Wigan made them pay again.

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This time prop Andy Coley stretched out of some more feeble Huddersfield defence close to the line, Pat Richards's conversion taking them to 30-20.

It proved a nightmare afternoon for expensive signing Brough. Earlier, the former Wakefield scrum-half sailed the kick-off straight out to gift Tomkins his first try inside just two minutes and although he responded with a 40/20 and brilliant long cut-out pass to fashion Hodgson's hat-trick on 64 minutes, which levelled the contest after Eorl Crabtree had barged over, those indiscretions proved crucial.

Also, Brett Hodgson only managed three kicks from his six attempts, Richards securing seven from eight.

Brown, who announced earlier in the week he will leave at the end of the season, said: "The response (after Warrington) was a good one but I was disappointed with our discipline at the start of the second half.

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"We let ourselves down there giving away a cheap penalty and then kicking out on the full.

"We made a few subtle changes with our attack and generally when we score 30 points we win.

"You should win after scoring 30 points and we caused a good side a lot of trouble.

"Our defence has not been an issue for 18 months but over the last two weeks we've been exposed in a couple of areas."

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Brown largely kept faith with the side vanquished by Warrington eight days earlier, only Graeme Horne and Scott Grix being left out.

In their place came Stephen Wild, the former Wigan second-rower making his first appearance in seven weeks after injury and Shaun Lunt, the influential hooker who had missed the last three fixtures.

David Hodgson got in for the the first of his three tries after eight minutes following some slick handling from Robinson, Kevin Brown, Brett Hodgson and Jamahl Lolesi.

Equally impressive passing from Wigan's left-side saw Karl Pryce find space and George Carmont supported inside as the Warriors hit back but Hodgson struck again before Richards' nudged the visitors ahead with a penalty after Mason's late charge.

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Joel Tomkins was yellow-carded for lying-on and in the impressive second-rower's absence Whatuira exposed Wigan once more. Ironically, seconds after the Wiganer returned, Giants were in again as Hodgson benefitted from more slick build-up play.

Wigan responded two minutes before the break though when Joel Tomkins's outlandish flick-pass allowed Darrell Goulding to scamper over for his 13th try of the season.

When the winger got his 14th in the 67th minute it proved the decisive score.

Richards converted to make it 36-30 to Michael Maguire's side although Giants prop Andy Raleigh believed he crossed with eight minutes to go only to see referee Richard Silverwood rule it out for a double movement.

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Brough's kick forced a drop out late on but Whatuira was bundled into touch by Gleeson's stand-in – Stefan Marsh – and Richards confirmed victory with a penalty on the hooter.

Huddersfield Giants: B Hodgson; Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whatuira, D Hodgson; Brown, Brough; Crabtree, Robinson, Mason, Gilmour, Wild, Faiumu. Substitutes: Lunt, Raleigh, Aspinwall, Griffin.

Wigan Warriors: Richards; Goulding, Marsh, Carmont, Pryce; Tomkins, Leuluai; Fielden, McIlorum, Coley, Bailey, J Tomkins, O'Loughlin. Substitutes: Riddell, Prescott, O'Carroll, Mossop.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Luke Robinson

The smallest man on the pitch but punched above his weight in defence and at the heart of the majority of Huddersfield's brightest attacking moments

Villain: Danny Brough

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Booted the kick-off and a second-half re-start straight into touch directly resulting in two Wigan tries. Once is bad enough, twice is unforgivable.

Key moment: 47th minute

Joel Tomkins' converted try – after Brough's second faux pas – opened up a ten point deficit and, although Huddersfield hauled it back, they left themselves too much to do.

Key moment: 47th minute

Joel Tomkins' converted try – after Brough's second faux pas – opened up a ten point deficit and, although Huddersfield hauled it back, they left themselves too much to do.

Verdict

Huddersfield had ample opportunities to take hold but too many unforced errors and a lack of composureled to them missing out on a valuable two points. All is not well at the Galpharm.

Next game

Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants; Sunday May 23, 3pm.

Quote of the day

It was better than last week – it wasn't 60.

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown commenting on his side's defensive performance.