Challenge Cup round-up: Warrington, St Helens, Hull FC & Castleford progress
The four remaining teams are just 80 minutes away from a place at Wembley…
Hooker Daryl Clark scored twice as Warrington became the first team to book their place in the last four of the Challenge Cup at the expense of Catalans.
Clark’s brace, plus eight points from the boot of Gareth Widdop, proved enough for the Wolves to see off the Dragons 16-6. The French side grabbed a consolation just after the hour mark through Mike McMeeken.
St Helens winger Regan Grace celebrated signing a new contract by scoring a match-winning hat-trick against Huddersfield.
Saints triumphed 23-18, having trailed 12-10 at half-time, with Grace clinching the win five minutes from time. The result dented Ian Watson’s hopes of achieving silverware in his first season at the Giants.
The first part of Saturday’s double-header saw Hull FC avenge last week’s league defeat to Wigan with a 20-10 victory at Headingley.
Prop forward Chris Satae scored twice as Brett Hodgson – 2012 Lance Todd Trophy winner with Warrington – moved to within one game of returning to Wembley as a coach.
In the final tie of the round, Castleford required some Gareth O’Brien drop goal brilliance to reach the semi-finals and send Salford crashing out, despite Lee Mossop’s last-minute try taking the game to extra time.
Harvey Livett also bagged a double for the Red Devils – last year’s beaten finalists – but it proved to be in vain as a 19-18 Tigers win edged them closer to lifting the Challenge Cup trophy for the first time since 1986.
The draw has already been made for the semi-finals of the competition. St Helens take on Hull FC, while Warrington will square off against Castleford, coached by future Wolves boss Daryl Powell.
Challenge Cup quarter-final results:
Catalans Dragons 6-16 Warrington Wolves
St Helens 23-18 Huddersfield Giants
Castleford Tigers 19-18 Salford Red Devils (AET)
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