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Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final
St Helens (0) 0
Wigan (22) 32
Tries: Farrimond 2, Eckersley 2, Wardle, Keighran Goals: Keighran 2, Smith 2
A magnificent defensive effort and clinical attacking display by Wigan Warriors against derby rivals St Helens earned them a third Challenge Cup final appearance in five years.
Matt Peet’s side soaked up relentless Saints pressure for much of this meeting at Halliwell Jones Stadium, and took their chances in the first half whenever they had a sniff of an attacking opportunity.
Jack Farrimond opened the scoring in the Warriors’ first real attack and after two brilliant finishes by Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle’s interception try had Wigan 22 points up at half-time.
Saints had fought back from 14 points down to win the Good Friday derby and start a run of five successive victories in all competitions, but Wigan were in no mood for a repeat.
They took everything that Saints could throw at them in the second half, and Paul Rowley’s side’s frustration boiled over as Jack Welsby was sin-binned and Farrimond and Adam Keighran capped it off with two late tries.
Saints might have headed into this last-four meeting as the form team but Wigan stopped their own blip of two straight defeats last week with victory over Bradford Bulls and were clearly in the mood for revenge.
The Red V were also intent on not having to come from behind this time, dominating the early stages but hitting a well-organised and resolute defence.
Wigan stood firm and when they finally went up the other end they scored a superb team try, Brad O’Neill making a break and swapping passes with Jai Field before feeding Farrimond.
Keighran converted and added a penalty, before more exceptional defensive work kept out Lewis Murphy and Daryl Clark.
Farrimond was a key at both ends of the pitch and it was his delicate kick which forced the next try, as Keighran was blocked as he slid in, but the ball squirted free for Eckersley to get a finishing touch.
Wigan showed their attacking class again as Eckersley rounded off yet another attractive move for his 20th try of the season, and right on half-time Wardle picked off a pass from Joe Shorrocks and raced away to make it an insurmountable 22-0 lead.
Saints refused to give up and continued to crank up the pressure. But they ran out of ideas as Wigan defended the edges superbly, and Welsby allowed his annoyance to get the better of him and was sin-binned for a rush into a ruck.
Wigan kept it tight for the entire second half and delivered a finishing flourish in the last five minutes as Farrimond capped a fine performance with a weaving run and try, and Keighran raced onto Harry Smith’s kick for another.
‘I knew we weren’t going to get beat’ – reaction
St Helens boss Paul Rowley told BBC Sport:
“I thought Wigan won all the big moments, particularly in that first half.
“We had a penalty count that didn’t do us any favours. When we look back at it, territorially, we were pretty good but, yes, big moments.
“There will be a lot to learn from it because it really stings. Respect and credit to Wigan because they really earned the big moments and that’s what they’ve got as a reward – they get to play at Wembley.
“We’ve got a Thursday night game – the rugby gods haven’t been kind on us – but that might be just what we need.”
Wigan coach Paul Rowley told BBC Sport:
“Is it? [His third Challenge Cup final] Looking forward to it – I don’t care who we play; it was more about Good Friday.
“It was more about not letting St Helens get there and it did mean a bit more today.
“I just knew that we weren’t going to get beat today.
“I’m very proud. I had a good feeling this week. It’s a young group, I’m proud of them regardless, they’re such fine, young men.
“It’s a pleasure to work with them, and when they turn up like that they’re tough to beat.”
St Helens: Sailor; Murphy, Cross, Robertson, Dagnall; Welsby, Hastings; Klemmer, Clark, Lees, Whitley, Wright, Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Lomax. Walmsley, Delaney, Stephens.
Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Hodkinson; Farrimond, Smith; Walters, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Partington.
Interchanges: Ellis, Mago, Eseh, Kerr
Referee: Jack Smith.
