SL Play-offs: Huddersfield 8-22 Wigan

Wigan claimed the first semi-final spot in the 2013 Super League play-offs, with an assured 22-8 win over League Leaders Huddersfield.

Josh Charnley scored twice to take his tally for the season to 41 tries, as Shaun Wane’s men nullified the usually flowing Giants attack.

It was actually Huddersfield who started in more confident mood, and they were the first to score in the testing conditions.

The Giants go-to man provided it, as playmaker Danny Brough darted through the visitors’ defence with a typical solo effort.

The home side looked to build on the converted try, but unlike their last visit to the John Smith’s Stadium, the Warriors had a response.

The Cherry and White forwards began to build their side a solid platform, and from there the Wigan attack probed for gaps.

Soon enough Charnley was put in down the right, and after he slid over the try-line Pat Richards brought the scores level with a conversion.

Richards and Brough then traded impressive penalty goals as the first half ended with the game evenly poised.

The second-half would not continue in the same vain though, and the Challenge Cup winners took control.

The home side were forced in to three consecutive goal-line drop-outs and when Sam Tomkins found Charnley in space, there was only going to be one result – his second try.

Richards again added the extras, and the away side took a lead they would not relinquish.

The Warriors kept the scoreboard ticking with a Matty Smith drop goal, before Blake Green scored to effectively end the contest and put his side within 80 minutes of a Grand Final appearance.

Smith managed another drop-goal on the stroke of the final hooter, as the Giants were left to face a sudden death tie with either Hull FC, Hull KR or Catalan.

Huddersfield (8): S. Grix, J. McGillvary, L. Cudjoe, J. Wardle, A. Murphy, D. Brough, L. Robinson, E. Crabtree, S. Lunt, C. Kopczak, B. Ferres, J. Chan, D. Ferguson. Subs: D. Faiumu, M. Lawrence, L. Patrick, K. Wood. Try: Brough. Conversion: Brough. Field goal: Brough.

Wigan (22): S. Tomkins, J. Charnley, A. Gelling, I. Thornley, P. Richards, B. Green, M. Smith, A. Powell, M. McIlorum, L. Mossop, H. Hansen, L. Farrell, B. Flower. Subs: J. Hughes, G. Dudson, S. Taylor, D. Crosby. Tries: Charnley (2), Green. Conversions: Richards (3). Field goal: Richards. Drop goals: Smith (2).