Super League: Widnes Vikings 22-30 Huddersfield Giants

Brett Ferres has made 11 Super League appearances this season

Huddersfield Giants recovered from the early dismissal of Brett Ferres to battle past Widnes.

Patrick Ah Van had made it 4-0 before Ferres was shown a red for punching Rhys Hanbury after just 12 minutes.

The visitors fought back through Ukuma Ta'ai before Jack Owens converted his own try to make it 10-6 at the break.

Craig Kopczak, Jack Hughes and Luke Robinson and Jodie Broughton went over for Huddersfield, with Kevin Brown scoring twice for the hosts.

England international Ferres, who was returning to the side after a three-week absence because of a knee injury, left his side facing defeat when he inexplicably punched Hanbury after the referee had already blown for a knock on.

Despite the numerical disadvantage the Giants were always in the game and ended up worthy winners.

They took the lead for the second time in the match through Kopzcak's try shortly after the restart only for Brown to almost immediately reply for the hosts.

However, the Giants would not be denied and scores from Hughes, Robinson and Broughton, who ran the length of the field after a poor pass by Joe Mellor, proved to be enough to render Brown's second try against his former side purely academic.

Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson:

"It was a bit of lunacy from Brett and he will cop his medicine.

"He apologised to his team mates and fortunately for Brett they dug deep.

"The referee had no choice but Brett has a squad round him who work hard for each other when adversity strikes.

"Sixteen players out there were outstanding and it's a real credit to the boys."

Widnes coach Denis Betts:

"He deserved to be sent off but we missed an opportunity, not for the first time this season.

"We don't seem to be finding any momentum at the moment and are failing to capitalise and get any motion.

"But I thought we we were still in the game until Jodie Broughton's long range effort and thought we could win because of the one-man advantage."

Widnes: Hanbury, Owens, Marsh, Dean, Ah Van, Brown, Mellor, Manuokafoa, Heremaia, Gerrard, Clarkson, Galea, Leuluai.

Replacements: White, Whitley, Dudson, Isa.

Huddersfield: Simpson, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Broughton, Brough, Ellis, Crabtree, Robinson, Huby, Ferres, Hughes, Fairbank.

Replacements: Lawrence, Kopczak, Ta'ai, Leeming.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (RFL)