WARRINGTON Wolves are just 80 minutes away from Wembley again after a
thrilling 22-32 victory in the South of France to set up a semi-final
clash with Huddersfield Giants.
After building up a 30-6 half-time lead the Wolves found themselves on the rack as the Dragons, unbeaten at home all season, staged a battling fight back at 22-26 with less than 10 minutes on the clock before Chris Bridge stole an interception try to clinch a hard fought victory.
The Wolves opened the scoring after just eight minutes when good work by Lee Briers and man-of-the-match Brett Hodgson (pictured top) sent Joel Monaghan in at the corner for his 42 nd try in 40 games, with Hodgson landing a superb conversion from wide out.
But on 20 minutes the scores were levelled as the Wolves made a mistake on their own try line allowing Lopini Paea to burst over under the sticks giving Scott Durea a simple conversion to make it 6-6.
On 24 minutes Hodgson landed a penalty after the Dragons were penalised for not standing square at the play the ball and then some sustained pressure from the Wolves paid off at Briers sent Hodgson in at the right hand corner, with the full back landing another terrific conversion to make it 6-14.
More presure from the Wolves was rewarded five minutes before the break as Ryan Atkins off loaded to send Chris Riley in at the left hand corner, with Hodgson again on target from a difficult angle to make it 6-20 at the break.
Two quick tries at the start of the second half saw Catalan back in the game as Simone went through a huge gap on 42 minutes, quickly followed by Ben Fisher who forced his way over after a catalogue of errors by the Wolves. Dureau was on target with both to make it 18-20 and game on.
On 51 minutes Warrington settled their nerves as a delayed pass by Briers sent Paul Wood over with Hodgson again landing the extras to open up an eight point gap at 18-26.
Defences were on top for the next 20 minutes but the Dragons managed to set up a nervy ending as Duport powered in at the corner on 71 minutes but Dureau couldn’t convert from out wide, making it 22-26.
Then with the clock ticking down Bridge intercepted and Hodgson landed the extras to send the Wolves into the semi-final and just 80 minutes away from Wembley.
The Wolves semi-final clash will take place on the weekend on July 13/14 with Wigan facing Leeds in the other tie.
