Giants are finally off the mark

CLARET AND GOLD CLAIM FIRST WIN IN REAL STYLE

HUDDERSFIELD Giants are finally up and running in their 2019 Betfred Super League campaign.

After defeats to Salford Red Devils, Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves and Hull, the Claret and Gold recorded their first win with a convincing victory over defending champions Wigan Warriors.

The Warriors looked weak in defence and clueless in attack as they crashed to their third successive league defeat in a row – fourth if you include their World Club Challenge loss at the hands of Sydney Roosters.

The Giants led 6-0 at the break thanks to a try from Kruise Leeming, but the scoreboard failed to show how dominant they were as they had the champions on the back foot from the first minute.

The Warriors looked lost and Lee Gaskell and Matt Frawley took advantage of that as they controlled the game effortlessly in the opening 40 minutes.

Wigan managed to hit back in the second half with a try from Morgan Escare, but they were unable to kick on and Joe Wardle

ensured the points went back to Yorkshire with a try on 66 minutes.

Huddersfield – who opted to bring back Gaskell, Joe Wardle and Akuila Uate – started the strongest and had the Warriors on the ropes for the opening 10 minutes as they forced three dropouts to camp out in Wigan’s half.

Huddersfield deservedly went ahead after 12 minutes when Leeming finished off a fine move involving Aaron Murphy, Frawley and Ukuma Ta’ai.

Gaskell added the extras as the visitors led 6-0.

Wigan were once again underperforming as the Giants dominated possession, but the home fans were soon on their feet as Zak Hardaker broke from inside his own 20 and looked certain to score his first try for the Warriors but he was chased down and thwarted by a great tackle from Darnell McIntosh.

This wasn’t the most entertaining first half of rugby league you will see this season, but credit has to be given to Huddersfield as the likes of McGillvary, Frawley, Gaskell, Joe Wardle and Leeming were leading from the front and not allowing the Warriors to get comfortable.

The Giants should have extended their lead before the break as McGillvary headed for the line only to be brought down by a great double cover tackle from Hardaker and Oliver Gildart, while video referee James Child judged that Suaia Matagi had lost control of the ball as he attempted to score.

Wigan improved after the break and they were level after 53 minutes when Morgan Escare raced ahead to collect a Thomas Leuluai kick to go under the posts.

Hardaker converted to level matters at 6-6. Wigan were the better team now with Isa causing problems down the right and Bullock going close, but they had to spend 10 minutes with a man down after Taulima Tautai was sinbinned for kicking out.

Gaskell slotted over the penalty to make it 8-6.

The Warriors had to do it tough now with 12 men and only one available substitute following injuries to Manfredi, Marshall and Sam Powell.

Huddersfield were outstanding all evening and after Uate went close they finally got

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