Wigan run rampant against lacklustre Huddersfield
Wigan put in their best performance of the season while Huddersfield put in their worst on Friday night.
Wigan couldn’t have wished for a better start. Sam Tomkins threw a superb cut-out pass to Tom Davies who scored in the corner. Sam Tomkins converted to put his side in a 6-0 lead inside two minutes.
But Huddersfield hit back just five minutes later. England star Jermaine McGillvary picked up a loose ball and raced 40 metres down the line to score. Danny Brough failed to convert, Wigan 6-4 Huddersfield.
The Warriors scored their second midway through the first half. Tom Davies got on the end of a Sam Powell chip to touch down. The conversion was good and Wigan were 12-4 in front.
A lovely passing move saw Oliver Gildart go over for the hosts. The conversion was missed but Wigan were 16-4 ahead.
It was all Wigan for the rest of the half. They were in again as it went through quick hands to Joe Burgess who dived over in the corner. Sam Tomkins’ boot put his team in a 22-4 advantage.
Huddersfield were weak at defending on their line in the first half and John Bateman made it look easy as he crashed over from close range. The conversion was added by Sam Tomkins and Wane’s men were 28-4 to the good at half time.
It was a flat start to the second half but it was Wigan who eventually scored and it was a trademark try from George Williams. The England half-back used dazzling footwork to get past Huddersfield’s defence and dive over. Sam Tomkins converted to put Wigan 34-4 in front.
Ryan Sutton extended Wigan’s lead on the hour mark. The 22-year-old front-rower bulldozed his way over the line from just a couple of yards out. Morgan Escaré added the conversion and Wigan were 40-4 up.
Willie Isa also got on the scoresheet when he went over for Wigan in the 68th minute. The conversion went wide.
Huddersfield scored a consolation try in the dying embers through Ryan Hinchcliffe. Brough added the conversion but the Giants were 44-10 behind.
Burgess wrapped up a solid performance from Wigan with a couple of minutes to go. Escaré couldn’t convert but Wigan ran-out comfortable 48-10 winners.
Wigan: 1 S Tomkins; 2 Davies, 14 Bateman, 4 Gildart, 5 Burgess; 6 Williams, 7 Powell; 8 Clubb, 9 Leuluai, 10 Flower, 19 Isa, 12 Farrell, 13 O’Loughlin. Subs: 11 J Tomkins, 15 Sutton, 17 Tautai, 20 Escaré.
Huddersfield: 15 Rankin; 2 McGillvary, 4 Turner, 26 Wood, 5 Murphy; 6 Gaskell, 7 Brough; 17 Ta’ai, 9 Leeming, 18 Clough, 12 Lawrence, 14 Ferguson, 13 Hinchcliffe. Subs: 19 Smith, 20 Walne, 21 Adam O’Brien, 22 Mellor.
Starman: Ryan Sutton worked tirelessly whenever he was on the field and was a big problem for Huddersfield in the middle.
Attendance: 10,641