Wigan Warriors 25-6 Harlequins

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Wigan Warriors made good their passage to the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi finals and gained revenge for last week’s engage Super League defeat with a 25-6 win over 12-man Harlequins at the JJB Stadium.

The most successful side in Challenge Cup history, Wigan will be hoping to make their mark on the famous old competition once more by being the first side to lift the cup at the new Wembley Stadium.

The Warriors were on top throughout, taking a 12-0 lead into the half-time interval and seldom looking under threat. while Quins could find no way back, seeing Jon Wells sent off for a high tackle with 26 minutes left in the game.

Full-back Chris Ashton, who will be leaving the club for rugby union at the end of the year, opened the scoring for the home side early on, positioning himself to support a Sean O’Loughlin break through the left of the Quins defence.

O’Loughlin turned provider a second time, his short kick allowing Pat Richards to touch down for a try to go with his two first-half goals, and give Wigan a telling 12-0 lead over the Londoners.

Harlequins offered their travelling supporters a brief spark of hope when Stephen Bannister, who had just moved south from National League One Whitehaven, pulled a try back, but the visitors could not build on this.

Instead Mark Calderwood grabbed a try at the corner, converted by Richards, to put the Warriors very much in the driving seat, and when Wells was sent from the field it was clear this wasn’t going to be Harlequins’ day.

There was still enough time for Trent Barrett to get on the score sheet with a drop-goal, and O’Loughlin touch down for a try of his own late on, Richards adding another two points to wrap things up