Huddersfield (10) 10 Tries: Brown, Whaturia Goals: B Hogdson
Warrington (10) 14 Tries: King 2, Hicks Goals: Myler
Hicks' try secured Warrington's third win of the season
A second-half try from Chris Hicks secured Warrington a hard-fought victory at Huddersfield.
Hicks' decisive score, evading three challengers on the line, provided the only points of the second half after the teams went into the break at 10-10.
Both sides had led at one stage during a tight first half, with Matt King scoring the first of a brace of tries to give the Wolves an early lead.
Kevin Brown and Paul Whatuira edged the Giants ahead before King levelled.
Warrington's victory lifted them back up to second in the Super League table, two points behind early pacesetters Wigan, while Huddersfield remain sixth.
The visitors got the perfect start in the first meeting of the sides since last season's Challenge Cup final, going ahead in the third minute when King finished off a flowing cross-field move involving Richie Mathers, Richie Myler and Ben Harrison.
But Huddersfield hit back with two tries in quick succession, with Brown finishing off the first from close range after starting a fine breakaway moments earlier.
Whatuira then marked his return to the side following personal problems by barging over from Lee Gilmour's pass, only for King to burst on to Mick Higham's pass to level.
Two brawls broke out either side of half time as tempers flared, including one after Michael Lawrence appeared to make a high and late tackle, before Hicks settled matters with his solo effort.
Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown:
"There was no doubt that this was a physical contest against good opposition. Last year, we would not have done half as well in this sort of battle. It shows that we've improved as a team.
"Both sides were up for the fight but I thought there was also a reasonable amount of good footie played.
"I thought Kevin Brown was terrific and Paul Whatuira did well on his return to the side. We'll hopefully see a lot more of him as the season goes on."
Warrington coach Tony Smith: "The game could have gone either way. We were in a battle last week against Wigan and it didn't quite go for us. It was very pleasing to come out on top this time.
"Coming to Huddersfield is very tough. You can't play through them. You have to find another way and I was very pleased with how the players responded to the physical aspects of the game.
"Both sides are capable of playing much better rugby in dryer conditions. At the moment it's too wet and cold and the ball is slipping about all over the place."
Huddersfield: B. Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lawrence, Whaturia, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, D. Griffin, Faiumu, Raleigh, Gilmour, Fa'alogo, Aspinwall. Replacements: Crabtree, Lunt, Patrick, Horne.
Bookmark with:
What are these?