Wolves keep up the pace

Chris Hicks scored two tries as Warrington Wolves kept up the pressure on Leeds Rhinos with a 30-14 victory over Huddersfield Giants on Friday.

The in-form winger has made a superb start to the season, scoring in every Super League match since signing from Australian side Manly Sea Eagles in the off-season.

He has a staggering record of 10 tries in seven games so far and has now become the first player in Warrington's history to score in each of the first seven fixtures of the season.

Hicks' Australian compatriot Michael Monaghan failed a late fitness test before this match, but Lee Briers stepped up with a 14-point contribution as the Wolves ground out the points at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Nip and tuck

It was half-back Briers that made the game's first breakthrough after being sent over for a converted try through a combination of work from Hicks and Paul Johnson.

Leroy Cudjoe kicked a penalty to reduce Huddersfield's deficit to four though and Louis Anderson was then sin-binned for a late challenge on Kevin Brown.

The Giants made their extra man pay as Jamahl Lolesi went over 25 minutes in to make it 6-6, but the Wolves line was not to be breached again until the second-half.

Australian Hicks grabbed his first try of the game to put the Wolves back in front as Briers and Tom Hemingway then traded penalties to see the hosts take a 12-8 lead into the interval.

Quality

Hicks again turned provider after the restart in a spectacular 40-metre move, which saw Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson touch down before two further Briers goals extended the advantage to 20-8.

Eorl Crabtree did strike back for the visitors with 25 minutes remaining, and Cudjoe converted, but three minutes later Warrington were back in command as Hicks grabbed his second of the game latching on to an inch-perfect kick from Briers into the corner.

The 31-year-old surpassed Warrington legends Brian Bevan, Toa Kohe-Love and Henry Fa'afili in the process and has ensured his name will forever be remembered in the club's annals.

Andy Bracek went over at the death to seal the win, with Briers kicking the conversion, but it was Hicks' impact that proved vital in Wolves keeping up their Super League title ambitions.