Warrington Wolves 22 Huddersfield Giants 34: Brough inspires Huddersfield to Warrington play-off shock

Huddersfield were known by that name of their spiritual home the last time they won a championship back in 1962 long before the moniker of Giants arrived with Super League.

But there was clear evidence amid the driving rain on Saturday night that the current formation could possibly end that long search for another title.

Although famously the birthplace of rugby league, Huddersfield's club has had little to shout about for nearly half a century and Harold Wagstaff's 1915 Team of All Talents remains its most celebrated era.

However, the manner in which they ruthlessly picked apart the Challenge Cup holders to set up a 23-0 interval lead was possibly the finest 40 minutes seen anywhere this year.

To then hold off the expected fightback, something Giants may have collapsed against 12 months ago, was mightily impressive. Nathan Brown's side have now won seven consecutive matches and, if play-off football is all about peaking at the right time, they have to be considered hugely dangerous with just a semi-final at St Helens standing between them and a maiden appearance at Old Trafford.

It would be easy to fall back on the old myth that Warrington cannot play in the rain, a theory which came to the fore again when they crumbled at St Helens in their opening play-off.

But on Saturday night, it was not the elements which beat them, regardless of the heavens opening again.

Mighty Huddersfield simply did not allow them a chance. Frustrated Warrington were not able to get on top in the middle due to their opponents' rock-solid defence; were not able to play their pretty football because of their opponents' rock-solid defence and were not able to turn the Giants because their opponents had rock-solid Brett Hodgson sweeping up in immaculate form.

Brough delivered his own masterclass as his side forced six drop-outs, the majority stemming from his perfectly-weighted and varied kicks, the half-back enjoying his finest game since his mid-season transfer from Wakefield.

Granted, Brown's side were given a helping hand. Three of Huddersfield's four first-half tries occurred following some woeful defence.

Stephen Wild broke Warrington all to easily in the second minute and his side were further encouraged when Danny Kirmond added another.

Brough was the instigator, seemingly having gone down a blind alley on halfway only to turn back untouched as Warrington hesitated and find a gaping hole up the middle, Kirmond racing up in support and shaking off Chris Riley's feeble last attempt.

Lee Gilmour's next was a touch fortuitous, Hodgson's grubber ricocheting off Lee Briers, but the Wolves were left embarrassed when Kevin Brown added a fourth.

The England stand-off is sleight so, despite cleverly deceiving Matt King with some neat footwork, he still had no right to get through Richard Mathers and Chris Hicks to the line.

Buoyant Huddersfield were not arguing and the one-sided scoreline, strengthened by three Hodgson conversions and Brough's thoughtful drop goal with the last kick of the half, was the least they deserved for such a committed display played out with such utter conviction.

However, the Warrington response was inevitable. Their season on the line, and with Smith's words ringing in their ears, they had to react.

They showed they could play in that rain, coming out with the sort of rigorous and fulsome examination which had vanquished so many this season, including the Giants themselves three times previously.

Mickey Higham ducked under two tackles to zip away for his first, Ben Westwood improving, and it was enough to make Hodgson go for a penalty soon after.

He missed but slotted the next although there was a nagging sense taking two points with around half-hour to go may prove too negative.

When Hicks dived over on the hour mark after a foolish Keith Mason off-load, the home crowd roared their side on, the decibels raising further when Westwood rocked Kirmond with a thunderous hit.

Higham sliced his way over again for Westwood to make it 25-16 and after Brough sailed the re-start dead – his only real mistake – the pressure was palpable.

However, the Giants defence muscled up once more to bundle the dangerous David Solomona into touch and Hodgson tagged on another penalty.

Hicks slid in for his second though, off a dubious forward pass, with Darrell Griffin sparking a massive brawl in backplay after cleaning out King off the ball, and Westwood's kick from the touchline saw the hosts trailing by just five points with seven minutes remaining.

Brough scraped over an ugly drop goal to settle nerves with only two to go but when King leapt high above Leroy Cudjoe to win the short re-start, desperate Warrington knew they had one final chance.

Castleford-bound Mathers, ultimately playing his final Wire game with Hodgson set to replace him in 2011, threw a long wide pass for Riley but Cudjoe intercepted.

The Huddersfield-born winger, whose late try earned their first play-off win over Crusaders, sprinted 90 metres, cheered home like a race horse by the man who mastered it all – Nathan Brown.

Warrington: Mathers; Hicks, King, Atkins, Riley; Briers, Monaghan; Morley, Clarke, Carvell, L Anderson, Westwood, V Anderson. Substitutes: Higham, Wood, Solomona, Bridge.

Huddersfield: B Hodgson; Cudjoe, Lawrence, Gilmour, D Hodgson; Brown, Robinson; Mason, Brough, Griffin, Kirmond, Fa'alago, Wild. Substitutes: Crabtree, Lunt, Faiumu, Patrick.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Danny Brough

Some questioned his signing but showed why he can be such a matchwinner. A wonderful kicking game which even overshadowed Lee Briers's efforts, Brough also constantly asked questions of their defence with his threats to run.

Villain: Keith Mason

The powerful prop brought plenty for Huddersfield on his return from a three-match suspension but only he will know why he tried off-loading on his own 10-metre line to give Warrington a sniff.

Key moment

79th minute: Nothing was undecided until Leroy Cudjoe intercepted Richard Mathers's hopeful pass and raced 90 metres at the death.

Ref watch

Phil Bentham : A contentious call having a Warrington official in charge with so many other referees to choose from but handled it well letting the game flow by keeping penalties to a minimum.

Verdict

Huddersfield had won just once in their last six meetings with Warrington but, for the first time, produced almost error-free rugby in a first-half display of such command that even Melbourne Storm would have struggled to get near them.

Quote of the day

I thought from the first set we clearly dominated the physical part of the game. I feel really happy for the players, some of whom have been at the club for years, gone through some pain and had some floggings.

– Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown.

Next game

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants; Friday September 24, 8pm qualifying semi-final.