Huddersfield 12-14 Wigan: Matt Peet hails fighting spirit

Wigan head coach Matt Peet relished his side’s fighting spirit after they slugged back from behind to edge a 14-12 win over Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Two tries from Bevan French proved enough to get Peet’s men back to winning ways in the wake of last week’s disappointing home defeat to Catalans Dragons.

Peet said: “I thought we were some way off our best but it was a tough performance and that’s what you need when you come here.

“You don’t get many pretty games here and this one certainly wasn’t, but we handled the situation well. I wouldn’t say we were always in control but I liked the way we played in terms of effort.

“If we’d come here and won with some space in between, I don’t think it would stand us in as good a stead. We need to have some of these grindy wins. It’s not really our approach but when you come here you’ve got to roll your sleeves up.”

Wigan’s first two tries were served up by a brace of Giants errors, Cade Cust intercepting a loose pass by Leroy Cudjoe to send French over, then Jake Wardle pouncing after Jake Bibby let Harry Smith’s high kick slip.

Huddersfield enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but failed to fashion scoring chances beyond the boot of Olly Russell, who kicked three penalties, with their only try arriving through Kevin Naiqama after a mistake from Liam Marshall.

Peet singled out Wardle, who came through Huddersfield’s academy system and spent six years in west Yorkshire, adding: “He is a quality player who has settled in really well and feels valued here. There is a smile on his face and he seems to be enjoying himself.”

Huddersfield need to learn lessons

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson admitted his side will have to cut out the errors if they are to stand any chance of sustaining their push for honours.

“They’re silly tries and when you look back the players who were involved in them will be upset,” said Watson. “These kinds of games are won by little moments like that and we have to learn from that and get better going forward.

“Early in the season these are good lessons, but at the back end, as it showed in the Challenge Cup final, they can be heartbreaking lessons.

“We need to learn our lessons here, and not go away from what we’re good at. Doing what we spoke about and what’s in our DNA got us four points up, but stepping outside of that cost us. The best teams stay with what they’re doing all the time.”

Watson revealed he will be without Josh Jones for next week’s visit of St Helens after the second rower failed a HIA, while Bibby also faces a fitness fight after rolling his ankle.

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