Warrington's play-off hopes hit by Huddersfield loss

Jacob Gagai was a key man in the Giants' victory

Betfred Super League

Huddersfield (6) 23

Tries: McGowan, Gagai, Flanagan 2 Goals: Flanagan 3 Drop-goal: Russell

Warrington (10) 10

Tries: Wrench, King Goal: Sneyd

Warrington Wolves' Super League play-off hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as they were beaten at Huddersfield Giants.

In a game full of twists and turns, the hosts took the lead through Aidan McGowan's try.

But Connor Wrench and Toby King put Warrington 10-6 in front at half-time.

Huddersfield responded as Jacob Gagai and a George Flanagan try double, plus an Oliver Russell drop-goal, secured victory.

Defeat left Warrington five points behind sixth-placed Hull FC, in the final play-off spot, with only four games of the regular season remaining.

Despite being put under early pressure, the Giants went in front when McGowan crossed in the corner.

The video referee overturned an initial no try decision, judging the ball to have been grounded fairly after great work by Flanagan, who converted from a difficult angle.

Warrington hit back moments later when Flanagan lost the ball to Wrench on the line after Marc Sneyd's forward kick. The video referee confirmed the decision, before Sneyd failed to convert from close range.

The game turned on its head when Matt Dufty, back in the Wolves side after a disciplinary issue, fed King to score in a fifth successive game against Huddersfield, with Sneyd adding the extras.

Warrington were forced back by the hosts early in the second half, but they were steadfast in defence. Wrench did brilliantly to cut out Russell's searching kick on the line as Gagai lurked with intent.

The same combination finally worked 15 minutes from time, with Gagai crossing for his 10th try of the season after some brilliant improvisation. Flanagan missed his kick and with that the chance to take the lead.

But that miss only fuelled the Giants' desire. They sensed an opportunity and took it when Gagai fed Flanagan, who drove over the line before converting his own try.

Any Warrington resistance was broken by the time Russell kicked a drop-goal and Flanagan rounded the day off with another converted try.

'We showed effort in droves' - reaction

Huddersfield Giants coach Luke Robinson told BBC Radio Leeds: "I thought it was very telling; at this stage of the season, I asked the lads if there was anything to play for and got my answer.

"I'm really chuffed with the manner they went about it. We were a little disjointed with the ball, not as fluid as I'd have liked. We were always going to be a bit clunky but I liked everyone's effort and desire and we showed that in droves.

"We don't win the game if Ollie Russell doesn't play, that is a fact. I don't want to put young kids in when they're not ready. That drop-goal was a really nice decision; the club backed my decision to bring him back.

"George Flanagan has played exceptionally well this year and we have high hopes for him. For him, moving forward, he showed mental strength."

Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess: "It was an extremely disappointing second half – it's probably as poor as we have played since I've been in charge at the club.

"We've got to ask a few questions of ourselves and I'll be doing the same with myself because it just wasn't good enough.

"The first half was a fair game, but in the second half we may as well have stayed in the changing room.

"It's confusing because we had a great week in practice and we expect to transfer into our performance, but it just didn't.

"That's probably the most concerning part – the guys are just not turning up on gameday."

Huddersfield: Flanagan, McGowan, Gagai, Bibby, Halsall, Rush, Russell, Rogers, Woolford, Powell, Rushton, Greenwood, Cudjoe

Interchanges: Golding, English, Wilson, Burgess

Warrington: Dufty, Jake Thewis, Wrench, King, Josh Thewis, Williams, Sneyd, Yates, Walker, Matterson, Stone, Fitzgibbon. Currie

Interchanges: Thomas, Powell, Holroyd, Harrison

Referee: Aaron Moore.