Huddersfield 28-18 Widnes: Chris Thorman ends Giants spell with welcome win

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Highlights of the Super League match between Huddersfield and Widnes

Jacob Wardle scored two tries on his Super League debut as Huddersfield beat Widnes 28-18 in interim head coach Chris Thorman's last game in charge.

It was Thorman's first win at the seventh attempt as he prepares to hand over the reins to new boss Simon Woolford, who will arrive at the John Smith's Stadium on Thursday.

And the new man will have something positive to build on as his club moved up to ninth with just their third win of the campaign, with 19-year-old Wardle hinting at a bright future.

After an even opening, it was the hosts who struck first in the 14th minute.

Jordan Rankin's high kick was gathered by Wardle, who touched down in the corner.

Fellow rookie Huddersfield centre Sam Wood was unable to add the extras, and that enabled the Vikings to nudge ahead 14 minutes later.

Two cheap penalties took Widnes to the line and Danny Craven crossed with relative ease. Tom Gilmore's goal made it 6-4 to the visitors.

But it was the Giants who led at the break as the ball was swept out to the right for Wood to touch down in the corner.

This time Wood made no mistake with the touchline conversion, and Huddersfield had a four-point advantage at the break.

A tremendous Rankin break almost put Kruise Leeming over for the Giants within 30 seconds of the restart.

But there was no denying the home side three minutes later when Oliver Russell - the Giants' other 19-year-old Super League debutant - kicked perfectly for Wardle to grab and score. Wood added the conversion.

But the Vikings narrowed the deficit in the 54th minute when Ryan Ince finished smartly in the corner and Gilmore landed the touchline goal.

The Giants regained their 10-point advantage as pressure on the Widnes line paved the way for Ukuma Ta'ai to crash over from close range for another converted score.

Wardle's debut took a downturn with 13 minutes remaining when he was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Rhys Hanbury, and moments later Gilmore capitalised on a strong Greg Burke drive to cruise through unopposed to score a try that was converted by Gilmore.

Despite being a man down, Huddersfield responded quickly as Alex Mellor crossed to allow Wood to land his fourth successful conversion of the night.