Zach Eckersley hat-trick helps Wigan Warriors grind out victory at Huddersfield Giants

Wigan Warriors moved back up to second in the Super League table after grinding out a 24-10 victory over Huddersfield Giants at the Accu Stadium on Friday night.

It was far from a vintage display from Matt Peet’s side, but the Warriors found a way to get the job done, with Zach Eckersley scoring a hat-trick to seal the two points.

Huddersfield made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead after 14 minutes. The ball was worked down the short side, with Taane Milne proving too strong as he barged his way over in the corner. Kieran Rush was unable to add the extras as the Giants led 4-0.

Wigan gradually worked their way into the contest and went in front midway through the first half. Adam Keighran produced a flat pass for Ollie Partington, who ran a fine line to crash over. Keighran converted to give the Warriors a 6-4 advantage.

Partington then came up with a huge moment at the other end, producing a superb try-saving tackle to deny Huddersfield from close range.

The Warriors extended their lead eight minutes before the break when Keighran fired out a brilliant pass to Eckersley, who finished well in the corner for the first of his three tries. Keighran was unable to convert from the touchline.

There was further drama shortly before half-time as Huddersfield’s Tui Lolohea and Wigan youngster Shea O’Connor were both sin-binned following a melee.

Wigan took a narrow 10-4 lead into the break, although it had been a stop-start and scrappy opening 40 minutes.

Huddersfield drew level on 56 minutes as Jacob Gagai powered his way over out wide, with activated 18th man George Flanagan landing an excellent touchline conversion to make it 10-10.

With the game finely balanced, Wigan edged back in front thanks to Keighran’s penalty goal after a successful captain’s challenge highlighted a high tackle on George Marsden.

The contest then swung further in Wigan’s favour when Huddersfield forward Joe Greenwood was sin-binned for a professional foul with six minutes remaining.

The Warriors took full advantage. Harry Smith produced a clever grubber kick for Eckersley to race onto and score in the corner, with Keighran adding an excellent conversion.

Eckersley then completed his hat-trick in the closing stages to put the gloss on the scoreline, with Keighran again converting.

It was not a polished performance from Wigan, but they showed their resilience once more to move back into second place in the Super League ladder.

Huddersfield: Niall Evalds; Tanguy Zenon, Connor Wrench, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne; Tui Lolohea, Kieran Rush; Tristan Powell, Zac Woolford, Fenton Rogers, Sam Hewitt, Zane Dunford, Harry Rushton. Subs: George King, Joe Greenwood, Mathieu Cozza, Cole Geyer. 18th man: George Flanagan.

Tries: Milne, Gagai | Goals: Rush 0/1, Flanagan 1/1

Wigan: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Austin Daniel; George Marsden, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Kian McDermott, Ollie Partington, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Taylor Kerr, George O’Loughlin, Shea O’Connor. 18th man: Sam Eseh.

Tries: Partington, Eckersley (3) | Goals: Keighran 4/5