Warrington consigned Huddersfield to the foot of the Super League table as the Wolves edged an engrossing 13-try affair to move to within a point of the league leaders Hull FC.
At times this year Warrington have looked like bona fide title contenders but on other occasions more like the side who disappointed last year. This game, in which the lead changed hands six times as the play from both sides ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous all afternoon, was a microcosm of both Warrington’s year and this Super League season.
Facing a side bottom of the league with little to play for would have represented a trouble-free afternoon for Warrington in years gone by but with the gap between top and bottom closer than ever the game was not decided until Daryl Clark’s 76th-minute try ensured the Wolves finish just a point behind Hull before the second phase of the season.
Tries from Stefan Ratchford and Ben Currie put the hosts into what appeared to be a comfortable 10-0 lead early on, but Huddersfield hit back with two tries from the former Warrington wing Gene Ormsby and another for Aaron Murphy to lead 14-10 with half-time approaching.
Only Danny Brough’s erratic goal-kicking prevented that lead from being extended further, and that allowed Warrington to lead at the break when Kurt Gidley converted Ben Westwood’s well‑taken effort to make it 16-14.
With Huddersfield still aiming to impress their new coach, Rick Stone, before the qualifiers they went back in front when Nathan Mason crossed just after half-time but a quick-fire double from Chris Sandow and Ryan Atkins established an eight-point lead for the Wolves heading into the final quarter.
Huddersfield again fought back to lead – and they looked set to move above Hull KR and off the bottom when Ormsby’s hat-trick try and a fine finish from Craig Huby put them 30-28 up late on. Yet Clark’s late try, a fine individual effort, secured victory for the hosts before next weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final with Wakefield.
“We need to be better next week, that’s for sure,” Tony Smith, the Warrington coach, said. “That game summed up our season, there were some brilliant passages of play but obviously we conceded too many points for our liking.”
