MIXED feelings are understandable after The Wire's third straight win of 2019.

To be top of the table and unbeaten going into March is a pleasing start to any team's campaign.

FULL COVERAGE: Here's all our reports, pictures, videos from Wire's win

And to do so on the back of a first win at Huddersfield Giants since 2014 is another tick in the box.

Warrington Guardian:

However, there is a but...

Warrington Wolves had the opportunity to put cellar dwellers Huddersfield to the sword on Friday night but did not take it.

For some, that took the gloss off the night and they returned west feeling a little frustrated.



 

After marching 32-10 ahead by the 65th minute mark, Steve Price's side were cruising.

Warrington Guardian:

Then they lost their way.

A string of penalties, taking the count against to 12 in total, led to a late Giants rally and 10 points that they did not deserve.

It seemed The Wire switched off, as they had done at the back end of the first half and start of the second when a hard-earned 16-0 lead had been whittled down to 16-10.

The pleasing part as Giants hit back was that there was no panic in the Warrington ranks.

And while Adam Walne was in the sin-bin for a challenge that left Wolves co-captain Chris Hill departing with a head injury the tide-turning play was conjured up by Dec Patton's boot for Ryan Atkins' second try of the game.


Huddersfield, strengthened by the return of key players Jermaine McGillvary, Lee Gaskell and Ukuma Ta'ai, failed to trouble a dominant Warrington defence outside of their two purple patches.

Early on, it was good to see Price's men come out of the arm wrestle on top.

Methodical approach work, orchestrated by Blake Austin, left Huddersfield without answers at times.

Warrington Guardian:

In the opening half hour, described by Price as The Wire's best period yet this season, Mike Cooper looked unstoppable at times and with Hill laid the foundations for Austin to do his thing.

Warrington Guardian:

Hooker Daryl Clark, who played 80 minutes despite being ill, kept the momentum going and the chief beneficiary was winger Josh Charnley with two great finishes.

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire's leading try scorer has started where he left off last year and it is no wonder the impressive turnout of travelling supporters were singing his name for the majority of the game.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Match facts

Super League Round Three, Friday, February 22, 2019

Huddersfield Giants…20 Warrington Wolves…32

Giants: Darnell McIntosh; Jermaine McGillvary, Jordan Turner, Joe Wardle, Akuila Uate; Lee Gaskell, Matt Frawley; Sebastine Ikahihifo, Adam O'Brien, Suaia Matagi, Aaron Murphy, Alex Mellor, Michael Lawrence. Subs: Kruise Leeming, Adam Walne, Matty English, Ukuma Ta'ai

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Ryan Atkins, Bryson Goodwin, Tom Lineham; Blake Austin, Dec Patton; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Lama Tasi. Subs: Ben Murdoch-Masila, Joe Philbin, Jason Clark, Jake Mamo

Scoring: Atkins try, 10mins, Ratchford goal, 0-6; Charnley try, 15mins, 0-10; Ratchford penalty, 21mins, 0-12; Charnley try, 34mins, 0-16; McGillvary try, 37mins, 6-16; English try, 46mins, Gaskell goal, 10-16; Atkins try, 50mins, Ratchford goal, 10-22; Austin try, 60mins, 10-26; Murdoch-Masila try, 65mins, Ratchford goal, 10-32; Turner try, 75mins, 14-32; Uate try, 79mins, Gaskell goal, 20-32.

Penalties: Giants 12 Wolves 7

Sin bin: Walne (foul play, 47mins)

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 6,076

Top Man: Josh Charnley, confirmed by readers' vote HERE