Warrington arrange a Betfred Problem Cup semi-final conflict with Leigh after an exciting 20-12 victory over native rivals St Helens on the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
In a pulsating quarter-final contest the Wolves held a slender two-point lead 10 minutes from time when captain George Williams went 75 metres up the pitch for the match-winning strive, which Marc Sneyd transformed to open up an eight-point benefit.
Matt Dufty and Ben Currie additionally crossed for the house facet with Sneyd touchdown 4 objectives.
The win made it six consecutive victories towards the Saints for Sam Burgess’ facet and leaves them simply 80 minutes away from a return to Wembley as they give the impression of being to go one higher after final season’s cup last defeat by Wigan.
Saints performed their full half in an entertaining contest and replied by way of tries by Tristan Sailor and Daryl Clark, each transformed by Jon Bennison.
As anticipated it was a ferocious begin to the tie, with the guests dominating subject place and making use of strain however failing to register any early factors, whereas Wolves prop Paul Vaughan was compelled from the sphere with a dislocated finger.
It was the house facet who opened the scoring after 16 minutes when an outstanding inside move from Williams despatched the supporting Dufty over to the best of the posts for the opening strive which Sneyd transformed.
Ferocious defence from either side continued to be the order of the day, with Saints forwards Sironen and Jake Wingfield each compelled from the motion for HIAs.
Jonny Lomax nearly pulled Saints degree when he adopted up his personal kick however simply did not floor the ball earlier than it went useless.
Matty Ashton of Warrington celebrates the win
However three minutes earlier than half-time one other Lomax kick this time did the trick as Sailor adopted as much as contact down and Bennison transformed to ship the perimeters in degree at 6-6.
Warrington regained the lead eight minutes after the restart when Sneyd booted over a penalty after Saints had been adjudged offside. It got here after an exciting 70-metre run by Ashton who was denied by Jack Welsby’s try-saving deal with.
Saints nearly produced a right away response however Joe Batchelor misplaced possession as he regarded to floor the ball and as play ebbed and flowed from finish to finish, Ashton had an effort dominated out for a ahead move.
A Sneyd kick bounced completely for Currie on 55 minutes to attain, which Sneyd transformed to stretch the result in 14-6 however Saints hit again instantly when Clark scored and Bennison transformed to chop the result in two factors.
In a breathless finale it was Williams’ very good long-range effort which noticed the Wolves progress to the final 4.
Burgess hails Williams for ‘dragging’ Warrington into semi-finals
Warrington coach Sam Burgess praised the contribution of captain George Williams following their quarter-final win over St Helens.
“George broke the sport open on the finish with some off-the-cuff stuff to get spherical one in all their gamers (Curtis Sironen), who just isn’t a pure centre which he exploited, and that’s in all probability the distinction in the long run,” Burgess stated.
“I did not anticipate the break as a result of it hadn’t been that form of recreation however when he bought within the clear it was second which sealed the sport.
“He is such a proficient participant, he is continually within the recreation as a result of he competes for every part and he had some beautiful touches at present.
“The ball again inside for Dufty was simply a few blokes having enjoyable on the market, he took his strive very well and his execution on his kicks was superb.
“He made some good selections within the recreation and doubtless dragged us dwelling.”
The win made it six consecutive victories for the Wolves towards the Saints and leaves them simply 80 minutes away from a return to Wembley as they face Leigh within the semi-final.
“It was a troublesome recreation and Saints did it powerful with some HIAs and gamers who did not end the sport however I assumed we had been powerful once we wanted to be and turned up for each other once we wanted to,” Burgess added.
“It was contest which is we what had been anticipating and I simply have to commend the spirit in our group.
“It was staff effort as a bunch who had been related and the starvation was there defensively so everybody contributed.”
St Helens coach Paul Wellens was happy with his facet’s efforts, saying: “We had two second-rowers within the centres and center items within the again row so I am actually happy with the gamers how they dealt with that disruption.
“However clearly the overriding feeling is disappointment of not making it by way of to the semi-finals.
“I nonetheless thought we might go on and win it once we bought again to 14-12 however too many instances once we had been in good subject place we did one thing to ourselves – little issues like errors off the play the ball – which shifted the momentum of the sport.”
Betfred Problem Cup quarter-final outcomes
Betfred Problem Cup semi-final draw
- Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons
- Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards
*ties to be performed on Might 10/11
Sky Sports activities will once more present each recreation of the Tremendous League stay this season – together with two matches in every spherical solely stay, with the remaining 4 matches every week proven on Sky Sports activities+ through the pink button.
