Wakefield 6-36 Wigan: Warriors to face St Helens in cup semi-finals following victory

Wigan will face current Challenge Cup holders St Helens in the semi-finals following their 36-6 victory over Wakefield at Belle Vue. 

Tom Johnstone missed out for Trinity and was replaced by Lewis Murphy on the wing. Lee Gaskell was named in the halves alongside Mason Lino, with Jacob Miller missing out. Willie Poching’s side were also without star forward David Fifita. 

Wigan captain Thomas Leuluai returned from his one-match suspension. Bevan French made his first start on the wing, having featured from the bench against Hull. Iain Thornley also returned from injury and was named on the wing. 

It was the hosts who piled on the pressure early on in the game with multiple repeat sets. However, Man of Steel leader Jai Field opened the scoring on 13 minutes, supporting a break from back-rower Liam Farrell inside his own half. It’s the fourth time the Wigan full-back has been the club’s first try scorer so far in 2022. Zak Hardaker converting for a 4-0 lead.

Murphy hit back for Wakefield on 20 minutes. Having had his first attempt ruled out by the video referee, the 19-year-old displayed an acrobatic finish in the corner. Max Jowitt converting for 6-6.

Wigan regained the lead on 35 minutes through Ethan Havard. The forward supported his skipper to crash over for a 12-6 score at the break. 

HT: Wakefield 6-12 Wigan

It took Wigan just one minute to extend their lead in the second half. Field racing over for his second of the afternoon for a 18-6 score.

Wakefield kept knocking, but Matt Peet’s side held strong and eventually crossed again through Hardaker on 61 minutes thanks to an assist from John Bateman for 24-6. 

Farrell confirmed Wigan’s spot on the 70th minute, benefitting from a couple of Wakefield mistakes at the back to score.

Field completed his hat-trick on 78 minutes, this time scoring on the wing. Wigan’s leading scorer switched with French late in the second half, and he crossed for his third try. Hardaker kept his 100% record of his boot for a full-time score of 36-6.

FT: Wakefield 6-36 Wigan

Wakefield: Jowitt, Kay, Lyne, Hall, Murphy, Gaskell, Lino, Arona, Hood, Tanginoa, Pitts, Ashurst, Batchelor. Subs: Whitbread, Bowes, Battye, Crowther.

Tries: Murphy Goals: Jowitt 1/1

Wigan: Field, Thornley, Hardaker, Bibby, French, Cust, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Partington, Farrell, Bateman, Smithies. Subs: Mago, Byrne, Havard, Shorrocks. 

Tries: Field (3), Havard, Hardaker, Farrell Goals: Hardaker 6/6

Challenge Cup: Semi-finals draw made

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