WARRINGTON Wolves’ mathematical hopes of a top-two finish in Super League remain alive heading into the final round of games.
And by recording a dominant victory at Huddersfield Giants, they went a long way towards eradicating the points difference advantage that may help Hull KR to stay ahead of them in second spot.
The Wire ran in 12 tries at the John Smith’s Stadium, with Matty Ashton scoring a hat-trick while teenage full-back Cai Taylor-Wray and second-rower Matty Nicholson both scored twice.
James Harrison, George Williams, Josh Thewlis Toby King and Rodrick Tai also touched down as Sam Burgess’ side recorded their biggest scoreline of the season to date.
Sam Burgess' side were 36-0 to the good at half time thanks to an early Ashton double, with Harrison and Williams both then crashing over from deft Ben Currie passes before Nicholson and Taylor-Wray opened their accounts just shy of the break.
Warrington looked well set to inflict more punishment when Jack Billington was sin-binned for a high shot on Thewlis, who added a try to his prolific goal-kicking shortly afterwards, but a quieter period then followed as the Giants stemmed the flow.
That proved to be only temporary, however, as the visitors scored five times in the final 16 minutes.
Huddersfield 0 Warrington 66 - post-match reaction
> THE FINAL WORD: Wire's machine looks to be in good working order
> STAT ATTACK: Tai's season-high plus Walker's league-leading stat
> THE MORNING AFTER: An evening that couldn't have gone any better
> Burgess issues Danny Walker warning to NRL clubs plus John Bateman future update
> Everything Sam Burgess said after merciless rout of Huddersfield
> Concerning Lachlan Fitzgibbon news as Sam Burgess offers post-match injury update
> WIRE SOCIAL: Fans delighted after 'consumate performance'
> Re-live the action from the John Smith's Stadium as it happened here
Match facts:
Super League, Round 26
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Huddersfield Giants...0 Warrington Wolves...66
Giants: Tui Lolohea; Aidan McGowan, Esan Marsters, Darius Carter, Elliot Wallis; Adam Clune, Olly Russell; Hugo Salabio, Thomas Deakin, Joe Greenwood, Harvey Livett, Jake Bibby, Andre Savelio. Subs: Kieran Rush, Seb Ikahihifo, Jack Billington, Jack Bibby. 18th man: Leroy Cudjoe
Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Josh Drinkwater; Luke Yates, Danny Walker, Zane Musgrove, John Bateman, Matty Nicholson, Ben Currie. Subs: Sam Powell, Joe Philbin, Jordy Crowther, James Harrison. 18th man: Tom Whitehead
Scoring: Ashton try, 6mins, Thewlis goal, 0-6; Ashton try, 14mins, Thewlis goal, 0-12; Harrison try, 24mins, Thewlis goal, 0-18; Williams try, 33mins, Thewlis goal, 0-24; Nicholson try, 36mins, Thewlis goal, 0-30; Taylor-Wray try, 38mins, Thewlis goal, 0-36; Thewlis try, 47mins, Thewlis goal, 0-42; Ashton try, 64mins, 0-46; Taylor-Wray try, 66mins, Thewlis goal, 0-52; King try, 70mins, 0-56, Nicholson try, 73mins, Thewlis goal, 0-62; Tai try, 75mins, 0-66
Penalties: Giants 2 Wolves 8
Sin bin: Billington (45mins, high tackle)
Referee: Tom Grant
Attendance: 4,181
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