Wigan edge out Wakefield in Challenge Cup thriller
Wigan Warriors edge out Wakefield Trinity in a Challenge Cup quarter-final thriller at Belle Vue.
Betfred Challenge Cup Wakefield (16) 22 Tries: Trueman, Rodwell, Johnstone, Scott Goals: Jowitt 3 Wigan (18) 26 Tries: Mago, Marshall, Smith, Eckersley 2 Goals: Keighran 3 Wigan Warriors edged out Wakefield Trinity in a Challenge Cup quarter-final thriller at Belle Vue. Warriors had to overcome a frenetic start from the hosts, who raced into a 12-point lead after a quarter of an hour, rallying back to claim a first win in three matches - in a pulsating encounter in West Yorkshire. Zach Eckersley scored two tries for Wigan, and Patrick Mago, Liam Marshall and Harry Smith grabbed one each in a topsy-turvy affair, which also included a number of flare-ups between the two sets of players.
Jake Trueman opened the scoring for Trinity and Ky Rodwell, Tom Johnstone and Cam Scott also crashed over for the hosts, who battled bravely. The victory means Wigan will play bitter rivals St Helens in the semi-finals, while Hull KR will face Warrington Wolves in a repeat of last year's Wembley final. More to follow.
Wakefield: Jowitt; Pratt, Scott, Hall, Johnstone; Trueman, Lino; McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Vagana, Nikotemo, Pitts. Interchanges: Tevaga, Hamlin-Uele, Smith, Lolesio. Sin-bin: Tevaga (36 mins).
Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Farrell, Marshall; Farrimond, Smith; Eseh, O'Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Walters, Ellis. Interchanges: Mago, Partington, McDermott, Hodkinson. Referee: Liam Moore.