A Bridge too far for Giants

Centre Chris Bridge scored five tries as Warrington crushed Huddersfield 60-4 in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

This repeat of last year's final was expected to be as tight as that Wembley tussle, but it in fact it was almost totally one-sided.

The Wolves completely dominated, running in 12 tries against a Giants side whose thirst for revenge quickly ran dry.

Giants captain Brett Hodgson returned to the line-up, a fortnight ahead of schedule after being sidelined with a calf injury, but he produced an unusually sloppy performance.

Huddersfield actually created the first scoring chance after Lee Briers knocked on and Leroy Cudjoe was thwarted in the corner, but there were early warning signs for the Giants with Bridge and Richie Myler breaching their defence.

Inspired by the blockbusting running of skipper Adrian Morley and second rower Louis Anderson, the visitors were the more enthusiastic and energetic side throughout and once centre Ryan Atkins opened the scoring on 14 minutes it was a steady procession over the Huddersfield line.

The Giants hardly helped their cause with a series of handling errors which were punished ruthlessly by the clinical Wolves.

David Hodgson, Jamahl Lolesi and Martin Aspinwall all lost possession near their own line and, when given the chance to relieve pressure on their line with their only penalty award of the first half, Danny Brough failed to find touch.

Brown's men compounded their handling errors by conceding six first-half penalties which enabled Warrington to maintain the pressure.

Decieved

Bridge pounced for his first try after David Hodgson was deceived by a wicked bounce from Lee Briers' kick and went between the winger and Paul Whatuira for his second.

The England centre also carved out a try for Myler while Hicks went over for his first after Mathers' pass found him unmarked.

Mathers illustrated the holders' greater desire when he got back to push Whatuira into touch when he looked certain to open Huddersfield's account just before half-time.

Aspinwall did manage to pull a try back for the home side three minutes into the second half but their handling errors continued.

Cudjoe lost the ball running back Briers' kick and substitute Paul Wood crossed for what could have been his first try of the season only to have the score disallowed by video referee Ian Smith for offside.

However, there was no reprieve for Brett Hodgson when he spilled Cudjoe's pass five metres from his own line, with Briers reacting quickly to get Bridge over for his hat-trick try.

Pinpoint

Briers then released the centre on halfway for try number four and his fifth came courtesy of a pinpoint kick from Myler.

The pressure from the visitors was unrelenting and substitute winger Chris Riley went over unopposed at the corner, Hicks crossed twice in seven minutes to complete his hat-trick and Matt King broke clear to get hooker Mickey Higham over.