Round 11
Huddersfield Giants 14 l. Wigan Warriors 46

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Wigan win first game under Noble
Mon April 24, 2006
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan Warriors began life under new Head Coach Brian Noble with two vital points against the Giants at the Galpharm Stadium. The win ended a run of seven successive league defeats and recorded what was only their second success in the Super League this year.

The victory completing a league double over Jon Sharp's men after a 36-20 score at the JJB back in February.

Wigan looked sharper and keen to impress Noble who had completed only one short training session with his new team on Friday morning. The return of Bryan Fletcher gave the Warriors some vital experience and as a team there appeared a real enthusiasm within the ranks that this could be the start, with a new Coach, of the club turning the corner.

Brian Noble accepted on his appointment that he was looking to make small steps week by week. The fans were an inspiration; a mass of cherry and white. And at last the Warriors gave them something to cheer about as in the end Wigan cruised to what proved a fairly comprehensive victory.

It was Huddersfield though, after just two minutes who took the lead, the Giants sending the ball to the right and it was Thorman who found James Evans who was able to get the better of Kevin Brown for the opening try. The conversion was missed, 4-0.

Wigan responded with a move close to the line, Higham and Moran combining to send in Danny Orr for the try. Richards struck a good conversion to make it 4-6.

Almost straight after Brian Noble's men were in again, this time Fletcher out to Pat Richards for the try, the Aussie missed the goal, 4-10.

On 23 minutes, Or with a great inside pass for the Warriors third try, this time full back Chris Ashton the try scorer. The conversion from under the posts was successful for Richards 4-16.

On 28 minutes quick hands by the home side and it was former Warrior Martin Aspinwall in for the Giants second try in the corner. Thorman hit a superb goal, 10-16.

A mistake by the Giants from the kick off by Brad Drew and from the set of six a high diagonal kick to the corner by Moran was taken by Richards for his second try of the game. This time Danny Tickle took kicking responsibility, his effort wide, 10-20.

With the Giants down to 12 men following the sin binning of Donlan for holding in the tackle Wigan were able to cross for their fifth try of the game, Brett Dallas the scorer in the left hand corner. Tickle hit the conversion and the half time hooter sounded 10-26.

Just 5 minutes into the second half Wigan looked to have opened up a winning margin as Moran sent Danny Tickle through a huge gap, the second rower missed the conversion, 10-30.

Godwins pass sent in skipper Sean O'Loughlin for Wigan's seventh try and with Tickle striking the goal it was effectively contest over 10-36.

Dallas crashed in at the corner for his second try soon after, the conversion missed though 10-40. A further Mickey Higham try and Tickle goal made it 10-46.

A late Chris Thorman try reduced the deficit but it was too little too late to have any impact and it finished 14-46 to Wigan.

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