VIDEO: WARRINGTON Wolves reached their fourth Challenge Cup final in eight years with a comprehensive 56-12 win over Wakefield in the semi-final at Leigh Sports Village.
Despite conceding the first try early on, Warrington never looked back as they thoroughly dominated from start to finish, running in nine tries.
They will now face Hull at Wembley on Saturday August 27, looking to follow up the successes of 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Signs of Warrington’s dominance were evident from the kick-off, Ashton Sims immediately creating a half-break and then Chris Sandow kicking a superb 40-20 with his first kick of the match.
That first spell of pressure ended with Ben Currie kicking the ball dead, but within five minutes Wakefield had the lead.
Stefan Ratchford was adjudged to have knocked-on under pressure from Scott Moore in the tackle, giving the Wildcats their first real platform and they made the most of it, Jacob Miller’s long pass taking Toby King and Rhys Evans out of the game and enabling Craig Hall to walk in at the left corner.
But after that, Warrington enjoyed the majority of both territory and possession.
They got back on terms through man of the match Jack Hughes, who took on Kurt Gidley’s short ball to go over under pressure from four defenders.
Gidley’s experience of big games was evident as he settled the nerves with a simple penalty on 18 minutes to put the Wolves 8-6 to the good.
Ultimately, the kick mattered little as Warrington were far too strong.
A mistake by Wakefield full-back Max Jowitt invited more Warrington pressure, and the lively Daryl Clark, whose incisive runs from dummy half were pivotal in getting Warrington on the front foot, shot over from a play the ball for the Wolves’ second try.
When Evans added another soon after, to put Warrington 18-6 to the good, it looked like a case of how many.
Wakefield rallied briefly and managed to stifle the Wolves attack, but the killer blow was landed on half-time.
Moore held on too long in the tackle to gift Warrington a penalty, and it was Gidley who took the ball over the line this time, given by the video referee, and it was 24-6 at half time.
Wakefield needed the first score of the second half to make a game of it, but it was Warrington who threatened the scorers first, Matty Russell thinking he had scored in the left corner only for the video referee to rule a knock on.
Tony Smith’s side didn’t have to wait long though, Sandow dancing through a gap to score, and when they backed that up with a 60 metre score from Ratchford the game was done as a contest.
The Wildcats were reduced to 12 men when David Fifita saw yellow for a high tackle, and Warrington ran in further tries through Ben Currie, Toby King (2) and Ben Westwood.
After three consecutive semi-final defeats, Warrington are back at Wembley.
After the match Head of Coachin g Tony Smith said: ““It was our day today. Whilst Wakefield didn’t give in my team did a pretty good job right from the outset.
“Everyone who was here and everyone who watched the game at home will feel the momentum of the match was pretty much one-way.
“They [Wakefield] should be proud of their efforts to get this far. I also wish them the best for the Super 8s now.
“They have done a great job after the start to the season they had.
“Well done to them but it’s about my boys today and playing out a game plan, they played it very, very well.
“We weren’t flashy but we did some outstanding things today.”
The outstanding Chris Sandow Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Ratchford goes over Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Westwood reaches out to score Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Bennie Westwood celebrates his try Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Players celebrate Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Fans celebrate Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
We’re going to Wembley – club mascot Wolfie celebrates with the the players – Picture Bob Brough www.warringtonwolves.com
Warrington: Ratchford, Russell, T King, Atkins, Evans, Gidley, Sandow, Hill, Clark, Sims, Currie, Hughes, Westerman. Subs: Dwyer, G King, Westwood, Bailey.
Wakefield: Jowitt, Jones-Bishop, Lyne, Arundel, Hall, Miller, Finn, Scruton, Moore, Fifita, Walton, Tupou, Sio. Subs: Crowther, Kirmond, Arona, Yates
Outstanding today what a good game by the boys and the fans wow best fans in the league #Wembley #SorryNotSorry 🙌🏾 LetsAllDotheSandow
— Chris Sandow (@Sandow_7) July 30, 2016
@wolvesrl @woolston_rovers provided a lucky charm today they’re available for 27.8.16 if you want them? #wembley16 #nowthewire
— Liam E Horrigan (@liamhog1973) July 30, 2016
Awesome display today👍 https://t.co/QzGDXMUQNm
— Dave Thompson MBE DL (@davet21) July 30, 2016
Love this picture 💛💙 #onecluboneteam #sheworeayellowribbon (swpix) pic.twitter.com/S6d4U2d70R
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) July 30, 2016
We’re going to Wembley ! Unreal experience 🏉👌🏻 #challangecup #warringtonwolves https://t.co/Te4wkJuBDB
— George King (@georgeking9876) July 30, 2016
Huge win for the @wolvesrl boys unreal support from the wire supporters, off to the big smoke we go! 👌🏻👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/964IwdOjCT
— James Morehen (@1More_Nutrition) July 30, 2016
BLESSED ! pic.twitter.com/v4cLmt4hut
— RYAN BAILEY (@BAILS168) July 30, 2016
.@ratch06 celebrates after @WolvesRL make it back to Wembley!
Get your ticket: https://t.co/AFVLq76sy0https://t.co/INWFNVwOpY
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) July 30, 2016
Wembley Wembley @rararyan85 @Chrishilly1987 @rhysevans23 @joewesty13787 @Darylclark9 pic.twitter.com/jKJOE1hWlW
— Adele Robinson (@Delli79) July 30, 2016
