Warriors storm into lead

Huddersfield-Sheffield 8-56 Wigan

Wigan reclaimed top spot in the Super League after a merciless destruction of bottom-placed Huddersfield-Sheffield at the McAlpine Stadium on Sunday.

The Warriors' star-studded backs scored eight of their side's nine tries against a hopelessly-outclassed Giants side that played most of the match a player short.

New Zealander Gene Ngamu was sin-binned after 26 minutes for laying on in the tackle and had only just returned to action when team-mate David Bradbury was sent off by referee Steve Ganson for a high tackle on Wigan forward Denis Betts.

A daunting task became almost impossible and John Kear's men showed just why they have the worst defence in the League.

It's hard enough playing Wigan with 13 men and with a man short and on a wide field like this, it made it very difficult

Giants' coach John Kear

After the match, Kear said: "It's hard enough playing Wigan with 13 men and with a man short and on a wide field like this, it made it very difficult.

"I thought we competed very well until the sending-off, which I was very disappointed with when we've got the report system. I thought it was innocuous."

Wigan led 22-2 by half-time after scrum-half Willie Peters had set up tries for Gary Connolly and Brett Dallas.

Former Australian Test centre Steve Renouf had scored the first try, touching down from skipper Andy Farrell's long cut-out pass, and he repeated the feat early in the second half before retiring from the action.

With Wigan cruising to their anticipated victory, Endacott also took the opportunity to rest other key players with next Friday's visit to Leeds in mind.

Devastating spell

The Warriors, with skipper Andy Farrell dictating matters at will from stand-off, piled on the agony for the home side with five tries in a devastating 17-minute spell early in the second half.

Winger Jason Robinson supported Renouf for his first try and then demonstrated his unique talent by racing 70 metres for a second.

Full-back Kris Radlinski and second rower Mick Cassidy also touched down and Farrell kicked 10 goals from 12 attempts.

The Giants' only first-half points came from Ngamu, who levelled the scores with an eighth-minute penalty after Wigan prop Neil Cowie was pulled up for dissent.

The home side managed a late consolation try through French international Yacine Dekkiche, with Ngamu kicking his second goal.

Teams:

Hudd-Sheff: Ngamu, Reilly, Lovell, Sovatabua, Cooper, Thorman, Clinch, Molloy, Lawless, Laughton, Bradbury, Turner, Hardy.
Replacements: Marshall, Lomax, Arnold, Dekkiche.

Wigan: Radlinski, Dallas, Connolly, Renouf, Robinson, Farrell, Peters, O'Connor, M. Smith, Cowie, Cassidy, Chester, Betts.
Replacements: Malam, Haughton, Gilmour, Davis.
Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)