Warrington Wolves 30-14 Huddersfield Giants

Engage Super League XIII - Round 7
The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Friday 21st March 2008, 15:00
Attendance - 9,320

Warrington Wolves winger Chris Hicks maintained his superb try-scoring start to the season as they ground out a hard-fought victory over Huddersfield Giants at the Halliwell Jones stadium by 30-14.

Hicks, signed from Australian side Manly Sea Eagles, has scored in every engage Super League match this season and he touched down twice against the Giants to make it 10 tries in seven games.

In the process Hicks became the first player in Warrington’s history to score in each of the first seven fixtures, passing the six held by the legendary Brian Bevan, Toa Kohe-Love and Henry Fa’afili, whom he replaced at the club.

The 31-year-old Aussie crossed for his ninth try of the campaign after 30 minutes as he latched on to a Lee Briers pass to race over in the corner.

And he added a second in the 55th minute as he collected an inch-perfect Briers kick to the corner.

Hicks also showed he is not just a tryscorer as he also helped create scores for Briers and centre Martin Gleeson.

The Wolves had gone into the game without influential Australian half-back Michael Monaghan, who failed a late fitness test on his calf injury meaning Vinnie Anderson moving to stand-off.

Paul Johnson switched into the pack and Kevin Penny was recalled on the wing.

Warrington made the perfect start when Hicks and Johnson combined to send Briers over in the fifth minute, with the Wolves half-back converting to make it 6-0.

Leroy Cudjoe kicked a penalty for the Giants before their only try of the first half came when the home side were down to 12 men after Louis Anderson was sin-binned for a late challenge on Kevin Brown.

The Giants made their extra man pay as Jamahl Lolesi touched down.

Hicks grabbed his first of the game to put the Wolves back in front at 10-6 as Briers and Tom Hemingway then exchanged penalties to see the hosts lead 12-8 at half-time.

A spectacular 40-metre move involving Gleeson and Hicks ended with the Great Britain centre touching down and two further Briers goals extended the score to 20-8.

Eorl Crabtree gave the visitors some hope with a 52nd-minute try which Cudjoe converted but three minutes later Warrington were back in command as Hicks grabbed his second.

The Wolves sealed the win in the last minute through Andy Bracek and Briers finished with a personal tally of 14 points with a try and five goals.

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