Huddersfield 14-16 Wigan: Matt Peet lands first trophy as Warriors coach

Wigan coach Matt Peet guided the club to a major trophy at the first time of asking as they beat Huddersfield 16-14 in the Challenge Cup final.

There was much made of Will Pryce returning from his 10-match ban in the week, but was not part of Ian Watson’s matchday 17. He opted to go with Jack Cogger and Olly Russell in the halves, with Ashton Golding on the bench.

Wigan welcomed back captain Tommy Leuluai from a lengthy injury lay-off.

The Giants took an early lead thanks to a penalty goal from Tui Lolohea. Huddersfield then extended their lead when Samoa international Ricky Leutele powered his way over from close range.

Huddersfield’s lead didn’t last long though as Harry Smith went over for Wigan following a superb offload from Morgan Smithies. Smith converted his own try to level the score at 6-6.

Watson’s side went back in front with seven minutes of the first half remaining. In-form back-rower Chris McQueen with the try to send the Giants into the sheds 10-6 to the good.

HT: Huddersfield Giants 10-6 Wigan Warriors

The Warriors got off to a perfect start in the second half as Bevan French and Jai Field combined, with the latter scoring.

But the Giants edged back into the lead on the hour through one-club man Jermaine McGillvary, who got the better of Liam Marshall in the corner.

The Warriors snatched it in the dying embers of the game as Marshall raced onto a grubber from Smith to score in front of the travelling Wigan contingent.

Huddersfield forward Chris MCQueen won the Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match. The attendance at Spurs was 51,628.

Wigan finished 16-14 victors in the capital to hand coach Peet his first trophy as head coach.

FT: Huddersfield Giants 14-16 Wigan Warriors

Huddersfield: Lolohea; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Leutele, I Senior; Cogger, Russell; Hill, Levi, Wilson, Jones, McQueen, Yates. Subs: English, Greenwood, Trout, Golding.

Tries: Leutele, McQueen Goals: Lolohea 2

Wigan: Field; French, Thornley, Bibby, Marshall; Cust, Smith, Singleton, O’Neill, Byrne, Farrell, Bateman, Smithies. Subs: Leuluai, Mago, Ellis, Havard.

Tries: Smith, Field, Marshall Goals: Smith 2

PODCAST: Kevin Brown previews Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup finals on the podcast