WARRINGTON WOLVES coach Tony Smith is refusing to give up on top eight finish despite defeat at third-placed Huddersfield yesterday.

Leroy Cudjoe scored twice to help the Giants secure a 14th win of the Super League season and avenge a 40-18 defeat by Warrington in May.

The Giants led 18-0 at the break and eased to victory despite the Wolves scoring two consolation tries.

Ben Westwood and Brian Carney scored for the visitors, but by then defeat was certain.

Ex-Giants coach Tony Smith admitted his side were second best, in part due to injuries to key players like Adrian Morley, and said: “We were a bit flat.

“We should have got some points early on when we had a series of penalties. That’s where we should have cracked them but we didn’t.

“It all clicked for Huddersfield when they brought Crabtree on. He gave them a real spark. If we had a Crabtree then the game might have been different.

“But as a team we were busted by having several players out. It’s a bit disappointing some of the others couldn’t step up to the mark.”

He added: “The play-off race is very tight. Nobody can take their foot off the gas. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of twists to come and it could even go down to the last game.”

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown said: “I believe St Helens and Leeds are likely to finish in the top two. But if we can win some more games at the back end of the season then there’s no reason why we can’t finish in the top four.”