Gareth Hock was sent off
as Wigan crashed 34-4 at home to struggling Huddersfield, inspired
by half-a-dozen ex-Warriors in their ranks including two-try David
Hodgson.Tries from Hodgson, Paul Whatuira and Darrell Griffin
gave the Giants a shock, but deserved, 18-0 half-time lead which
they extended through Jamhal Lolesi and Ryan Hudson to lead 30-0
approaching the final quarter.
Pat Richards pulled one back for Wigan before Hock saw red for
appearing to manhandle the official after having a try disallowed,
with Hodgson's late score rubbing salt in the wounds of his former
employers.
The Warriors handed a debut to new signing Tim Smith, but he
had to watch the beginnings of a sensational opening 40 minutes
from the bench as Huddersfield ran riot, and he was unable to
stamp his authority on proceedings by the interval.
The visitors started well and took advantage of increasingly
desperate play from the Warriors, who were booed off at the
halfway mark.
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.
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 Giant
centre Whaturia, who showed great speed to extend the lead to
12-0.
Thorman narrowly missed a goal but the disbelief among the home
faithful turned 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
60 yards up the field before he was halted by Richards, but
Robinson made the most of field position by setting up Griffin for
a walk-in try.
Thorman's third goal made it 18-0 at the interval.
Wigan needed a big 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 Lolesi within a minute.
It went from bad to worse five minutes later when hooker Hudson
touched down by the side of the posts, and the Warriors fans
vented their fury as Thorman lined up his fifth successful kick at
goal.
It had the desired effect as Richards crossed for Wigan on the
hour mark, although the Australian missed a relatively easy
conversion.
The Warriors night was summed up in the closing stages when
Hock was held up over the line, making matters worse by offering
dissent before appearing to manhandle referee Ian Smith, which
resulted in a red card.
Hodgson then ran over his second try in the closing seconds
but, by that stage, the result had already been sealed.
