Wolves face Rhinos in Challenge Cup semi-final after proving too strong for Bulls

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WARRINGTON Wolves proved too strong for Bradford Bulls with a fairly

comfortable 10-46 victory to set up a Challenge Cup semi-final showdown

with Leeds Rhinos on the weekend of August 9/10.
Man-of-the match Chris Bridge (pictured top) was once again in sparkling form as he was at the heart of Warrington’s attacks and landed seven goals from eight attempts.
The Wolves were dominant in the opening stages and their pressure eventually paid off in the 14th minute when half-back Richie Myler side-stepped his way over with Chris Bridge landing the extras.
But Braford hit back five minutes later when Warrington surrendered possession in their own half as Ben Currie lost the ball allowing the Bulls score in the corner through Elliot Kerr – but Gale was wide witht he conversion making it 4-6.
Straight from the kick off Warrington his back. Bridge managed to force the Bulls to drop out from the re-start and Myler then opened up the defence allowing Ryan Atkins to score under the sticks, leaving bridge a simple conversion to make it 4-12 on 21 minutes.
Three minutes later Warrington were over again, this time full-back Matty Russell joining the line to accelerate through the gap and score, with Bridge again on target, with the final score of the half making it 4-18 at the break.
Bradford briefly rallied at the start of the second half as Luke George picked up a loose ball in the 45th minute to race 70 metres to score, with Luke Gale adding the extras.
But Warrington were soon back in control as Myler was held up short, but from the play the ball Bridge sent Gene Ormesby over in the corner for a walk over try and then added a superb touchline conversion to make it 10-24 in the 51st minute.
Five minutes later Simon Grix had a try ruled out after Atkins was ruled to have been off-side by the video referee but on 62 minutes Warrington were over again, this time Myler darting over after Ben Harrison had been held just short. Bridge again goaled to make it 10-30.
Two minutes later Warrington were over again as Bridge was again the creator, this time sending Joel Monaghan over in the corner and then converted again from wide out, this time off the post. At 10-36 it was effectively game over against a tiring Bulls.
Monaghan grabbed his second try on 69 minutes following good work by Stefan Ratchford, with Bridge making it seven from seven.
The final try came from Ben Currie in the 72 minutes as the young forward finished off a sweeping move but Bridge couldn’t maintain his 100 per cent kicking record, pushing the attempt wide.
The other semi-final draw sees Widnes Vikings play Castleford Tigers.
Head of Coaching Tony Smith said he was pleased the way his team had sharpened up in the second half after being guilty of too many mistakes in the opening 40.
Injuries to a couple of players, including Michael Monaghan, had also taken the gloss off the victory.


Joel Monaghan touches down above and below for another two tries!

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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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