Weakened Wigan slay Giants

Wigan defied the absence of several key first-team players to record a superb 20-6 victory over Huddersfield - a result that means the defending champions take over from the Giants at the Super League summit.

With both Joel and Sam Tomkins suspended and Paul Deacon joining Brett Finch, Stuart Fielden, Eamon O'Carroll and Pat Richards on the sidelines, Wigan's stellar squad was stretched to the limits.

But Josh Charnley, one of several youngsters given a chance by coach Michael Maguire in the absence of others, scored a try and kicked four goals to help the Warriors come out on top in a bruising battle at the Galpharm.

The only response from the Giants came through a converted try from Luke Robinson, who marked his return from injury by scoring with his second touch.

Superb performance

The lengthy list of absentees for the Cherry and Whites meant Sean O'Loughlin was moved to stand-off, though the switch didn't stop the Warriors skipper turning in a superb performance.

It was his try that broke the deadlock after just three minutes; the England international scooping up a loose ball on the left after Charnley had done well to tap across Thomas Leuluai's kick to the corner.

The early score set the tone for a frenetic opening 20 minutes that saw both teams refuse to take a backwards step.

The bruising nature of the contest led to casualties, none more obvious than Huddersfield full-back Scott Grix as he was left seeing stars by an accidental elbow from opposite number Amos Roberts.

Roberts had already made an impact on the game with an error that led to Robinson's equalising try, the Australian having failed by some distance to deal with a huge up-and-under from Danny Brough right under the cross bar.

Another error from the stand-in full-back under a high ball appeared to let in Brough, though the television official spared the Wigan man's bacon by deeming Luke O'Donnell had knocked the ball on beforehand.

A late penalty from Charnley put the visitors ahead at the end of an absorbing first 40 minutes, and they moved further clear soon after the re-start.

Favour returned

Having been set up for his try by Charnley in the first half, O'Loughlin returned the favour when his superbly-weighted chip to the left corner was brilliantly caught on the full by the winger as he dived forward.

Both teams had tries chalked off, Simpson knocking on before going over while Roberts had an effort wiped out for obstruction, as further points proved hard to come by.

The Giants had plenty of possession close to the Wigan line but simply couldn't find a way to get over. Even when they did, those in blue shirts managed to somehow stop them from getting the ball down.

Charnley booted Wigan eight points clear with a 73rd minute penalty before setting up the try that sealed the result.

It was his floated pass back inside that gave second rower Ryan Hoffman an easy run-in, the successful conversion from the impressive Charnley giving the final scoreline a rather flattering look in favour of the Warriors.