Giants cut down Warriors

Struggling Huddersfield shocked Wigan 34-4 at the JJB Stadium to deal a major blow to the Warriors' play-off hopes.

Inspired by half-a-dozen former Wigan players in their ranks, the Giants belied their recent poor form and lowly 11th place in the Super League table, running in six tries.

Former Warrior David Hodgson scored twice for the visitors, while Wigan finished the game with just 12 men after Gareth Hock was sent off for dissent.

The defeat means Wigan remain three points adrift of fourth-placed Warrington, but they will also be glancing anxiously over their shoulders in the direction of Bradford and Wakefield.

Tries from Hodgson, Paul Whaturia and Darrell Griffin gave Huddersfield a deserved 18-0 half-time lead in the re-arranged clash.

Wigan were the first to threaten, but could not take advantage of a 40-20 from Trent Barrett, and the Giants opened the scoring through the boot of Chris Thorman, after the Warriors were caught offside in front of their own posts.

The Yorkshiremen extended their lead soon after when, after Danny Kirmond had been held up over the line, Luke Robinson kicked through for Hodgson to win the race for the ball.

Bereft

Thorman booted over an excellent conversion, and the home side were trailing 8-0 and looking bereft of ideas and confidence.

Wigan were not helping themselves by coughing up possession at regular intervals and handed the visitors their second try on the half hour mark.

Hock's ambitious offload found only the grateful arms of Whaturia, who showed great speed to extend the lead to 12-0.

Thorman narrowly missed the conversion, but the ground was resounding to boos five minutes before the break when Huddersfield crossed for their third try.

Martin Aspinwall was allowed to pick up a loose ball and charge more than 60 yards up the field before he was halted by Richards, but Robinson made the most of the field position by setting up Griffin to trot in unopposed.

Thorman's third goal made it 18-0 at the interval.

ball-spill

Wigan needed a much-improved start to the second half, only for Barrett to spill the ball from the kick-off, and the Giants crossed for their fourth try through Jamahl Lolesi within a minute.

It went from bad to worse five minutes later when hooker Ryan Hudson touched down by the side of the posts, and Thorman lined up his fifth successful kick at goal.

Pat Richards finally got Wigan on the board around the hour mark, before Hock saw red for dissent, with Hodgson's late score wrapping up a thoroughly miserable night for his former employers.