Challenge Cup fifth round round-up
Wigan and Warrington eased through to the quarter-finals of this season’s Challenge Cup, but Leeds bowed out of the competition in the fifth round.
The Rhinos, who have appeared in the last three finals, were beaten 24-8 by Huddersfield, who even managed to survive playing with 12 men for the final quarter of the match following the dismissal of Joe Wardle.
Wardle had scored a first half try for the hosts, who led 16-4 at half time, with further tries from Shaun Lunt and Leroy Cudjoe. Danny Brough‘s boot kept the score ticking over in the second half, and Cudjoe made the game absolutely safe when he snared a late interception.
It was a first defeat in nine for Leeds, and also brought an end to Kevin Sinfield‘s run of scoring in 32 consecutive games. Kallum Watkins scored all eight of their points on the day, with two tries.
Holders Warrington eased in to the last eight with a nine-try thrashing of Salford at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Lee Briers returned to action in a Wolves shirt, and managed a try and a goal in a 52-6 victory.
Stefan Ratchford and Joel Monaghan helped themselves to a brace of tries each, with further four-pointers coming from Chris Hill, Brett Hodgson, Mickey Higham and Paul Wood.
Sam Tomkins scored four tries as Wigan made it 130 points in two trips to Craven Park this season, winning 46-14 at Hull KR.
Having lost 86-4 on Wigan’s last visit, Rovers managed to keep it tight for at least the first 40 minutes, and trailed just 12-4 at the break.
But the Warriors soon broke that resolve in the second half, and earned an ultimately comfortable win.
Widnes saw off Championship opposition for the second round running to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years.
They beat Workington 36-0 in dismal conditions at Derwent Park, scoring 18 points in either half.
Chris Dean, Stefan Marsh, Gareth Hock, Dave Allen (2) and Adam Lawton all crossed for tries, with Jack Owens adding six goals.
Catalan ran in 16 tries as they thrashed Championship side York 92-8 in Perpignan.
Kevin Larroyer scored four tries, Morgan Escare three and Remi Casty two as the Dragons proved far too strong for the City Knights.
York had taken an early lead through a Tom Carr penalty, but were then blown away by their Super League opponents. They did manage to get a try though, through Kris Brining.
Gareth Ellis‘ first Challenge Cup match for five years ended in victory for Hull against his former club Wakefield, 24-6 on Friday night. The damage was done in the first half, when tries from Ellis, Richard Horne and Kirk Yeaman helped them in to a 16-0 lead.
Ali Lauitiiti did get the Wildcats on the scoreboard after the break, but Jay Pitts added a score either side of that to help the Airlie Birds to a comfortable win.
London Broncos put their disappointing league form behind them with a Craig Gower inspired 25-16 win over Bradford, to earn them a place in the quarter-finals for the second year running.
After falling behind early on, London scored three unanswered tries before the break to go in 18-6, and managed to keep the Bulls at arms length in the second half to secure the victory.
In the all Championship match, Sheffield defeated Halifax 28-12 to ensure they’re the sole representatives of the division in the quarter-final draw.
Quentin Laulu-Togagae scored twice, as the Eagles turned a 10-2 half-time advantage in to victory.
List of results…
Catalan 92-8 York
Huddersfield 24-8 Leeds
Hull 24-6 Wakefield
Hull KR 14-46 Wigan
London 25-16 Bradford
Sheffield 28-12 Halifax
Warrington 52-6 Salford
Workington 0-36 Widnes