Challenge Cup Round-up: Derby Time for Wigan, Saints, Leeds and Tigers

Filed under: Rugby League

The Challenge Cup semi-finals will host two massive derbies after a thrilling quarter-final stage. Giants Wigan and St Helens will face each other, while Yorkshire rivals Leeds and Castleford are also set to clash in two weeks' time.

Warrington Wolves 24 Wigan Warriors 44
The basics: Josh Charnley's late double helped Wigan see off a stirring comeback from depleted Warrington. The Warriors led a Wolves side missing Lee Briers and Adrian Morley 22-0 after just 24 minutes, but the scoreline was 24-28 going into the final quarter. That was when Charnley stepped forward to score twice in four minutes to keep the Warriors' hopes of a first Wembley trip since 1998 alive.

What it means: Wigan's long-held dream of returning to Wembley remains very much alive although they now face rivals St Helens in the semi-finals. Warrington can now focus on making a genuine Grand Final push after lifting the Challenge Cup the last two seasons.

They said it: "They got off to a flyer and not many teams get their way back into that against Wigan. We gave ourselves a chance to get back into the game but they were the better team today and looked sharper." - Warrington coach Tony Smith.

"It was a very pleasing start. We focused on that a lot and we managed to get a few points on the board which helped us to control the game at the back end." - Wigan coach Michael Maguire.

St Helens 56 Hull Kingston Rovers 6
The basics: Leon Pryce continued his comeback in sparkling form as St Helens dumped the Robins out of the Cup and made their 11th straight semi-final. Pryce scored the first of his side's 10 tries in his second game back from long-term injury, while Jon Wilkin and Tommy Makinson finished with doubles. Rovers were never really in the game and only had a Ben Galea try to show for their efforts.

What it means: Local rivals Wigan stand between Saints and a first Wembley trip since 2007. Hull KR must now refocus on trying to make the Super League play-offs.

They said it: "We never spoke about 11 semi-finals in a row. It was all about players preparing to get this job done and they did just that. My dad used to wake me up as a young kid to watch the Challenge Cup on TV back at home in Australia. It would be fantastic to get to Wembley but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves." - Saints coach Royce Simmons.

"A few things cost us, our concentration, giving away too many penalties and making errors. You can't afford to give Saints so much possession in that mood. We had to do a lot of defending and Saints played with great speed and tempo. Their front row were very good." - Rovers coach Justin Morgan.

Castleford Tigers 22 Huddersfield Giants 18
The basics: Kirk Dixon played a key role as Castleford made their first semi-final since 1999. Dixon scored a try and booted three goals as the Tigers stunned pre-match favourites Huddersfield. Jermaine McGilvary's second half try had hinted at a Giant comeback before Danny Orr's effort settled Castleford's nerves.

What it means: Leeds Rhinos stand between Castleford and the chance to send departing coach Terry Matterson off on a perfect note at the end of the year. Huddersfield are in something of a slump at present and need to recover quickly if they are to make something of this season.

They said it: "It was an outstanding performance. Defensively we were outstanding and that's how we have to be against these sides. One to 17, I couldn't be any happier. We did some things wrong but our reaction to it was great." - Castleford coach Matterson.

"It's heartbreaking because we just didn't give ourselves our best chance, that's what's disappointing about it. We just can't build any field position or pressure; the start of the second half probably summed up where we are at the moment. We scored a try and Cas were there for us to try to take and then we dropped the ball the next set." - Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown.

Hull FC 22 Leeds Rhinos 38
The basics: Rob Burrow and Carl Ablett inspired a superb second half performance to send Leeds into the last four. Two tries from Jordan Turner had helped the Black and Whites into a 16-6 lead in the first match since new owner Adam Pearson took control of the club. But the Rhinos improved significantly after the break, with sub Burrow outstanding and centre Ablett finishing with two tries.

What it means: Leeds are now just one game from Wembley despite a largely difficult campaign. Hull have to concentrate on ensuring they don't slip out of the play-off places in coming weeks.

They said it: "We were defending for a massive chunk - the opening 15 minutes of the second half. I always felt we had points in us but we saw so little of the football, we didn't give ourselves enough of a chance." - Hull coach Richard Agar.

"The most pleasing aspect was that we went out there and showed a lot of resilience in that second-half fightback. We have been making strides gradually over the year and that was another benchmark, to handle a game where momentum swings back and forth." - Leeds head coach Brian McDermott.

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/25/challenge-cup-round-up-derby-time-for-wigan-saints-leeds-and/

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