SENIOR MAN

Winger’s hat-trick seals it for Giants in a thriller

HUDDERSFIELD 32 WIGAN 22

IT COULD not be described as a Challenge Cup final dress rehearsal as so many understudies were on show.

But Huddersfield did at least draw first blood against Wigan before they meet again in the Spurs showpiece on May 28.

Louis Senior’s hat-trick plus tries from Ricky Leutele and Jake Wardle gave Ian Watson’s side the upper hand. But they were clinging on at the end after brave Wigan almost overturned a 22-6 deficit with a late flourish. Second-placed Wigan gave teenage stand-off Logan Astley a debut and fellow 18-year-old Matty Nicholson made a dream bow, scoring twice from the bench.

But it was one of Huddersfield’s main leads, Tui Lolohea, who helped inflict only the Warriors’ third defeat of the season. The Tongan fullback set up winger Senior from a scrum early on before bombing the next chance, choosing to try and find Olly Russell when he looked certain to scrore after Leutele’s break.

But Russell fumbled and Giants saw Joe Greenwood sinbinned for blocking French on Wigan’s first real attack in the 19th minute. But the hosts extended their lead while down to 12 men when Leutele did finish strongly after Jack Ashworth’s offload. Wigan halved the deficit when Iain Thornley and French combined for Sam Halsall to cross. Still, Senior added his second try in the 44th minute after Lolohea’s brilliant raking pass left Wigan’s defence helpless again.

When Lolohea ushered Wardle over on the other flank, it looked like game over for Wigan. But they scored two tries in three minutes when Halsall claimed his second and then loose-forward Nicholson scrambled over. But Senior settled the nerves with his third try on the final play. HUDDERSFIELD – Tries: Senior (3), Leutele, Wardle, Hewitt. Con: Russell (4).

WIGAN – Tries: Halsall (2), Nicholson (2). Con: Smith

(3).