Huddersfield 31 Wigan 22: Wardle brace helps Giants overcome young Warriors

Huddersfield Giants' Joe Wardle runs in to score his second try (PA)

Joe Wardle scored twice as Huddersfield recovered from a 12-0 deficit to overpower injury-hit Wigan 31-22 on Thursday night. Aaron Murphy, Shaun Lunt and Jermaine McGillvary also touched down as the Giants responded to some harsh words from coach Paul Anderson to get back on track in Super League.

Wigan had started well with tries from fit-again captain Sean O’Loughlin and Matt Bowen but a burst of 25 unanswered points from Huddersfield turned the game.Wigan did claim further tries through Dominic Manfredi and, late on, Joe Burgess but the match was probably one too many for their youthful side.

Much may have been made of the Warriors youngsters since last week’s impressive win over Salford, and nine frontline players were still missing for Shaun Wane’s side last night. But it was the two returning senior men who helped the visitors start well as inspirational skipper O’Loughlin and full-back Bowen touched down.

O’Loughlin opened the scoring when he took a smart offload from teenager Manfredi and went over. Bowen added a second when he weaved his way through some weak tackling and, with Matty Smith converting both tries, Wigan were looking strong after 20 minutes.

However, Murphy, Lunt and Wardle all crossed before half-time and the home side never looked back.