WARRINGTON Wolves are into their third consecutive Challenge Cup semi-final after a nail-biting 20-18 victory over local rivals Widnes Vikings at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The kicking boots of man-of-the-match Kurt Gidley ensured Warrington’s safe passage into the semi-finals where they will be looking to set the record straight after defeats in the past two years at the same stage.
But they were pushed all the way by a determined Widnes outfit who took the game to the Wire only to lose out to a soft Gidley penalty five minutes from time for accidental off-side.
Warrington got off to the perfect start as Gidley opened up a gap allowing Jack Hughes to go on a strong run to the line to touchdown on six minutes. Gidley added the extras to make it 6-0.
But the visitors were back on level terms on 28 minutes when Chris Sandow fumbled the ball in front of his own sticks and Joe Mellor managed to kick the ball on and win the race to the ball to score. Rhys Hanbury added the simple conversion to level the scores.
Within two minutes Widnes had doubled their lead when the impressive Kevin Brown broke the line to send Matt Whitley under the sticks, with Hanbury again adding the simplest of conversions to make it 6-12.
Warrington managed to hit back just before the break when George King kicked through with Kevin Penny showing his pace to win the race to the ball and touch down with finger trip control, for a try awarded by the video referee. Gidley was unable to add the difficult conversion from out wide make it 10-12 at the interval.
Shortly after the re-start Ben Currie thought he had given the Warrington the lead after sliding over the line with the ball but the effort was ruled out by the video referee.
Warrington showed the respect their visitors deserved on 53 minutes when Gidley added a penalty to level the scores after Widnes were penalised for holding down.
On 56 minutes Warrington took the lead when Gidley won a repeat set from a charge down and from the play the ball Brad Dwyer showed great pace and strength to reach out and score. Gidley added the extras to make it 18-12.
But back came Widnes deep from within their own half as Kevin Brown sent out the final pass to send Charly Runciman over on 64 minutes. Hanbury kept his cool to level the scores from wide out.
With the game on a knife edge a Sandow bomb was fumbled causing Widnes to be penalised for off-side pretty much in front of their own sticks. Gidley didn’t need an extra invitation to slot over the two points which proved just enough to put Warrington just 80 minutes from Wembley.
After the match Warrington Wolves Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “It was a grafting game and both coaches should be proud of their teams.”
Wolfie can’t wait to get his hands on the Challenge Cup again PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Jack Hughes opens the scoring PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Wolfie assists Kurt Gidley! PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Chris Sandow makes a break PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
Brad Dwyer celebrates his try – PICTURE EDDIE WHITHAM
FOR A GALLERY OF PICTURES CLICK HERE
Wolves: Ratchford, Russell, Evans, Atkins, Penny, Gidley, Sandow, Hill, Clark, Westwood, Currie, Hughes, Westerman.
Subs: Dwyer King, Bailey, Cox.
Vikings: Hanbury, Thompson, Runciman, Bridge, Ah Van, Mellor, Brown, Cahill, White, Buchanan, Houston, Dean, Leuluai.
Subs: Whitley, Manuokafoa, Dudson, Heremaia.
Scrappy but wins a win in challenge cup onto the semis @wolvesrl
— Chris Hill (@Chrishilly1987) June 24, 2016
Thanks for all the messages! Just been discharged from hospital with a bit of glue on the cut.
But if headache but will be fine! #upthewire— ryan atkins (@rararyan85) June 24, 2016
Throats so sore after that match 😂 well done @wolvesrl 🙌🏼💙💛
— Meg Pugh (@meganpughx) June 24, 2016
Another scrappy win but that’s all you need in the cup!! Roll on the semi-finals!! 👌🏻🏉🏉
— Ben Currie (@BenoCurrie) June 24, 2016
It’s all about getting in the hat for the next round ✌️#challengecup #wire
— Daryl Clark (@Darylclark9) June 24, 2016
Bit scratchy there tonight but getting through is the main thing, onto the semi final #wire#nextround 🏉
— rhys evans (@rhysevans23) June 24, 2016
Congratulations to our friends Warrington Wolves on reaching the Challenge Cup semi-final https://t.co/6oetS3CKQk
— WDP (@WDPcomms) June 24, 2016
DB: “I want the side to be competitive but we always seem to be the bridesmaid at the moment” pic.twitter.com/4aAG4lVf2Z
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) June 24, 2016
Wire win to make Challenge Cup semis, report by @JackRobertWynne https://t.co/De5JnHRnNa pic.twitter.com/5V4X0s4GOq
— Love Rugby League (@loverugbyleague) June 24, 2016
TS: “It was a grafting game, both coaches should be proud of their teams” pic.twitter.com/HWJ5ToHlkg
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) June 24, 2016
