Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final
St Helens (0) 0
Wigan (22) 32
Tries: Farrimond 2, Eckersley 2, Wardle, Keighran Goals: Keighran 2, Smith 2
A magnificent defensive effort by Wigan Warriors against derby rivals St Helens earned them a third Challenge Cup final appearance in five years.
Matt Peet’s side soaked up relentless Saints pressure for much of this meeting at Halliwell Jones Stadium, and were clinical in the first half whenever they had a sniff of an attacking opportunity.
Jack Farrimond opened the scoring in the Warriors’ first real attack and after two brilliant finishes by Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle’s interception try had Wigan 22 points up at half-time.
Saints had fought back from 14 points down to win the Good Friday derby and start a run of five successive Super League victories, but Wigan were in no mood for a repeat.
They took everything that Saints could throw at them in the second half, and Paul Rowley’s side’s frustration boiled over as Jack Welsby was sin-binned and Farrimond and Adam Keighran capped it off with two late tries.
More to follow
St Helens: Sailor; Murphy, Cross, Robertson, Dagnall; Welsby, Hastings; Klemmer, Clark, Lees, Whitley, Wright, Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Lomax. Walmsley, Delaney, Stephens.
Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Hodkinson; Farrimond, Smith; Walters, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Partington.
Interchanges: Ellis, Mago, Eseh, Kerr
Referee: Jack Smith.