Hull end Wolves Wembley dream

WARRINGTON’S dream of a fourth Wembley appearance in five years ended as they went down 16-12 to Hull FC in a gripping Tetley’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Huddersfield.
The Wolves who were the bookies favourites with Hull on the back of five consecutive league defeats, raced into an 8-0 lead thanks to tries from Joel Monghan (pictured top) on six minutes, quickly followed by Trent Waterhouse, who was first to touch down a Stefan Ratchford grubber kick.
Just when it looked like the Wolves might trun away with the game Hull responded with a break-away try as Lineham beat Ratchford to the try line.
Hull took the lead on their next set when, aided by a penalty for a ball-strip on Danny Houghton, stand-in full-back Whiting crossed the whitewash after being put through by Daniel Holdsworth.
Both sides squandered opportunities to score further tries leaving Hull 10-8 up at the break with Danny Tickle’s conversion the only difference.
Warrington thought they had taken the lead four minutes into the second half, but this time the video referee deemed Waterhouse was unable to get the ball down in goal.
Then Warrington then found themselves eight-points down when Holdsworth’s grubber kick was inch perfect for substitute Aaron Heremaia, who touched down under the sticks leaving Tickle with a simple conversion.
Warrington almost got back into the game when Lee Briers’ kick was collected by Joel Monaghan who broke away. His inside ball found Westwood, but with the line beckoning Higham knocked on in trying to collect the bouncing ball.
Winger Chris Riley then came within a whisker of scoring for the Wolves, but he was effort in the corner was ruled out by the video referee.
Hull attempted to see the game out only fbut upstepped Riley to intercept and give Warrington excellent field position allowing Ben Currie to force his way over from close range.
Despite a frantic finish with Warrington pounding the Hull line there was no way through leaving the underdogs to celebrate a trip to Wembley to face Wigan.
After the match Wolves boss Tony Smith said: “We were great for the first 10 or 15 minutes and then just lost our way. That’s when Hull really got their tails up and they ended up dominating the next 60 minutes.
“We fought our way back but we left ourselves with too much to do.
“I can’t fault the effort of my players. They’re pretty sore about not getting back to Wembley, but we can concentrate on Super League now and give it everything we’ve got.”

Joel Monaghan opens the scoring

Chris Bridge fends off Miller

A late Ben Currie effort gave some hope

Hull FC: McDonnell; Lineham, Arundel, Yeaman, Briscoe; Holdsworth, Miller; Watts, Houghton, O’Meley, Ellis, Tickle, Westerman.