Up for the Cup: Fifth Round
Bradford had to see off a plucky Wakefield outfit at a rain-sodden Belle Vue in the live TV game. Despite Bradford's territorial dominance and superior possession, Wakefield somehow remained in the game right until the very end, with Luke George's error, cruelly leading to Matt Cook's game clinching try. Man of the match Lesley Vainikolo had earlier scored two tries for the Bulls, with Paul White notching Wakefield's solitary score after a superb break and kick by Jamie Rooney.
Whitehaven gave Catalans Dragons the fight they expected at the Recre. The part timers just falling short of their Super League opponents by 24 points to 14. Thomas Bosc scored half of the Dragons' points, who also scored tries through Vincent Duport, Adam Mogg and Kane Bentley. Craig Calvert, Rob Jackson and Steve Maden all replied for Haven.
The best game of the round was at Headingley where Wigan held off a massive onslaught from Leeds in the final stages of an exciting game to secure a 22-18 and keep them on course for the first final at the new Wembley, having been involved in the very first Challenge Cup final at the old Wembley. Trent Barrett was once again the star man, having a hand in all three of Wigan's tries, the pick of them being Mark Calderwood's score in the corner after great work by Chris Ashton. Ashton himself and Sean O'Loughlin added tries for the Warriors. Leeds had taken an early lead through Clinton Toopi, with further tries from Brent Webb (2), but in the end, crucially, two early second half penalties from Pat Richards proved the difference.
On Friday night, St Helens brushed aside National League 1 strugglers Rochdale by 70 points to 10 (see the full report by Alistair Webster, here). Elsewhere on Friday, Huddersfield continued their hot run of form. It was in the previous round of the Challenge Cup that their winning streak started, and it continued with a 36-10 win over Super League strugglers Salford. Kevin Brown scored two tries, with further scores from Stephen Wild, Robbie Paul, Jamaal Lolesi and Chris Nero, with Luke Dorn and Stuart Littler replying for the Reds.
In the two Super League v National League 2 clashes, the Super League sides, as expected, came out convincing winners. Harlequins defeated Oldham by 66 points to 6, running in 12 tries through Chris Melling (2), Paul Sykes (3), Karl Temata (2), Mark McLinden (2), Jon Grayshon, Tyrone Smith (2), with Paul O'Connor grabbing Oldham's solitary score. And Warrington recorded a 48-16 win over NL2 table toppers Barrow – tries coming from Vinnie Anderson (3), Martin Gleeson (2), Mark Gleeson, Brent Grose and Richie Barnett (2). Barrow though will be pleased with their efforts, scoring three tries through Brett McDermott, Karl Ganley and Chris Beach.
And to finish off the round, Hull coasted to an expected win over Sheffield, although they had to overcome a spirited performance by the visitors, who kept the scoreline to just 18-6 at the break. But tries from Wayne Godwin, Craig Hall (3), Richard Horne, Shuan Briscoe, Kirk Yeaman and Hutch Maiava were more than enough to see Hull through.
So in the hat for the quarter final draw, which will be televised live on BBC News 24 at 4:45pm on Tuesday are: Bradford, Catalans, Harlequins, Huddersfield, Hull, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan