GOSH JOSH!
Thewlis hat-trick as young Wolves delight Powell
Warrington 32 Huddersfield 10
By JULIE STOTT
JOSH THEWLIS helped rip apart Huddersfield Giants as Daryl Powell’s new reign finally looks to be coming good.
The Warrington boss had been coming under pressure after some limp displays in a run of five defeats.
But two wins, and a narrow loss, over the past week have got the fans on board.
This victory over Huddersfield, who started the day four places higher in the table, was their best this season.
Powell said: “That was a big step forward for us. It’s the best we have been for the whole season so far.
“Looking at the last three performances you can see we’re improving.
“The energy was great and we defended really well.
“It was an outstanding team performance.” Warrington had four key players – Stefan Ratchford, Gareth Widdop, Jack Hughes and George Williams – ruled out through injury.
But it bodes well for the future that it was three youngsters who helped mastermind the win.
Full-back Thewlis (above), 20 next Saturday, grabbed the spotlight with three tries, while 20-year-old centre Connor Wrench also scored an eye-catching try.
Riley Dean, 20, also made the most of a rare start in the halves by creating two of Thewlis’ tries.
Powell added: “Special mention to some of the younger boys. They came up with some real spark. Josh Thewlis is class and some of the combinations with Riley Dean were outstanding.”
Giants coach Ian Watson said: “It was probably our worst performance of the season, we were awful. We lacked energy and effort.
“We did not turn up with the right attitude. We ended up defending all the time and hardly touched the ball in the first half.”
Stand-off Jack Cogger was their main culprit, getting sin-binned twice in the opening 20 minutes.
His first yellow card was for holding down as he tried to snuff out a dangerous Wolves attack. His second – three minutes after returning – was for sliding in on Thewlis as he scored.
Watson added: “It was disappointing because they can quickly post points on you. They were picking us off, it was too easy.” WARRINGTON: Tries: Thewlis (3), King, Wrench, Currie.
Goals: Dean (4). HUDDERSFIELD: Tries:
Senior, Yates. Goal: Russell.