Warrington Wolves hosted Huddersfield Giants at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the first qualifying semi-final in Super League XVIII on Thursday evening.
Both sides went into the match believing that they deserved a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Huddersfield had lifted the League Leader's Shield earlier in the month, after taking 42 points from 27 games. However, Wolves, who finished just one point below the Giants, had racked up a superior points difference.
Wolves had already beaten Huddersfield on three occasions in the 2013 campaign, which is why the Cheshire outfit opted to use their Club Call privileges to select Paul Anderson's men as their opponents.
Could Huddersfield reach their first Grand Final or would Warrington make it to Manchester for a second consecutive year? Find out by revisiting the action with Sports Mole's text updates below.
WARRINGTON STARTING XIII: Ratchford, C Riley, C Bridge, Atkins, J Monaghan, Briers, Myler, Wood, Higham, Hill, Grix, Westwood, Harrison
WARRINGTON SUBS: Morley, M Monaghan, Carvell, Cooper
HUDDERSFIELD STARTING XIII: Connor, McGilvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Chan, Lawrence
HUDDERSFIELD SUBS: Patrick, Ta’ai, Ferguson, Wood
Hello and thanks for joining Sports Mole for tonight's big match. There is a real buzz around Warrington this evening.
Wolves made history on Sunday when they became the first team to chose the winners of the League Leader's Sheild in Club Call. That was seen as a brave move by many, but it has certainly set up an exciting game.
However, don't talk to Wolves coach Tony Smith about Club Call. He thinks that the modern play-off system is "a ridiculous gimmick"
It should be an emotional night for Garreth Carvell, Adrian Morley and Mike Cooper, who all make their final home appearances for Wolves, having agreed moves to Bradford, Salford and St George Illawarra Dragons respectively. However, Brett Hodgson, whose release was confirmed earlier today, misses out on a farewell appearance is front of the Halliwell Jones faithful.
The players are in position and kick off is just moments away...
GAME ON! Stefan Ratchford gets the match underway with a decent kick.
Wolves make some significant ground with their first set of six and then win a PENALTY 20 metres out. The could easily take the two points, but, no, they fancy a try...
TRY! (J MONAGHAN) - Warrington 4-0 Huddersfield
Wolves are rewarded for their early positivity as Joel Monaghan crosses over in the corner following a quick passing move.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Ratchford adds the extras with a really good kick from the touchline. 6-0 Wolves.
TRY! (BROUGH) - Warrington 6-4 Huddersfield
What a start! Danny Brough, who moments earlier had threatened with a lung-bursting run following a clever interception, gets Huddersfield on the scoreboard with a scrappy try between the sticks.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Brough levels the game with an easy goal. 6-6.
Warrington almost restore their lead as Paul Wood is held up just inches short of the line. Lee Briers then attempts a grubber kick, which is too strong.
Back-to-back penalties put Wolves in the ascendancy before a brilliant kick from Brough earns excellent field position to momentarily take the pressure off his side.
SUB: Giants second row Ukuma Ta'ai replaces Craig Kopczak.
Another Brough kick yields a positive result for Huddersfield, as Chris Riley knocks on in his attempts to gather. The visitors now have a set of six deep inside opposition territory.
TRY! (CONNOR) - Warrington 6-10 Huddersfield
Riley's error is punished as Jake Connor sneaks the ball down in the corner and, following the video referee's blessing, Huddersfield are in front.
MISSED CONVERSION! The narrow angle proves too difficult for Brough on this occasion.
SUB: Larne Patrick replaces Eorl Crabtree.
SUBS: Triple change for Wolves, as Morley, Carvell and Mick Monaghan come on in place of Wood, Chris Hill and Mick Higham.
SUB: Michael Cooper takes to the field while Ben Harrison takes a breather.
Briers kicks long and the ball goes out on the full, much to the delight of the Wolves fans.
TRY! (J MONAGHAN) - Warrington 10-10 Huddersfield
The quick hands of Chris Bridge find Monaghan and the Aussie winger powers over for his second try of the night.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Another cracking effort from Ratchford gives Wolves a 12-10 lead.
SUB: Kyle Wood replaces Huddersfield's Shaun Hunt.
Brett Ferres gives away a silly penalty and it almost costs his side dearly as Briers is held up just short of the line. The video referee is called upon - no try is his verdict. Warrington, who are in touching distance, have one tackle remaining.
TRY! (GRIX) - Warrington 16-10 Huddersfield
Warrington register their third try within seconds of Briers's disappointment. Simon Grix is the scorer.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Ratchford is three from three and Warrington have an eight point lead. 18-10.
SUB: Ferres, whose error led to Warrington's third try, has been replaced by Dale Ferguson.
HALF TIME: Warrington 18-10 Huddersfield.
Inspired by a triple change in their forward line, Warrington have come from behind to lead by eight points at the break. One can't help but feel that Huddersfield must score first in the second half if they are to keep their Old Trafford dreams alive.
PLAY RESUMES!
TRY! (ATKINS) - Warrington 22-10 Huddersfield
Could that be game over? The Giants backline does really well to prevent Joel Monaghan from getting his hattrick. However, they are undone moments later as Ryan Atkins touches down after rising well to collect a superb cross-field kick from Briers.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Ratchford makes it 24-10.
TRY! (MCGILLVAY) - Warrington 24-14 Huddersfield
Excellent reaction from the Giants as Jermaine McGillvary scores in the corner.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Brough adds the extras and, once again, the difference between the sides is eight points.
Warrington are in complete control at the moment and Huddersfield are hanging on by the skin of their teeth as Brough prepares to take his third goal line drop-out in quick succession.
A high kick is dropped by young Jake Connor. Wolves fail to take full advantage of the error, but they force another drop out. However, the pressure on Huddersfield's defence finally takes a break when Ferguson is unduly harassed by a swarm of Warrington bodies and the Giants are awarded a penalty.
TRY! (FERGUSON) - Warrington 24-20 Huddersfield
Fantastic effort by the Scottish international, who dances his way through the Warrington defence before scoring the try that brings Huddersfield right back into this game.
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Brough's kick means that the Giants are potentially just one try away from victory. 24-22. Huge eight minutes ahead.
TRY! (GRIX) - Warrington 28-22 Huddersfield
Horrible defending allows Grix to score his second, as Briers's kick bounces nicely for Wolves while those in black leave the ball for each other to deal with. If this try is converted, I can't see the Giants getting back into this...
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION! Ratchford does the business again. His fifth goal of the night restores Warrington's eight-point advantage. The Wolves are going to Old Trafford!
FULL TIME: Warrington 30-22 Huddersfield.
That's it! Warrington are going back to Manchester, where their bid to win their first Super League championship will be decided on October 5.
They will face either Leeds Rhinos or Wigan Warriors, who meet at the DW Stadium tomorrow night. Until next time, Goodnight!
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
