Warrington nil Wigan to reach Challenge Cup semi-finals

Warrington put in a professional display to keep Wigan scoreless and progress to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Warrington coach Steve Price made three changes to his team that beat Hull FC last time out. Bryson Goodwin, Mike Cooper and Sitaleki Akauola came in for Mitch Brown, George King and Ben Pomeroy.

Shaun Wane also made three changes to his Wigan side that lost at Hull KR last week. Oliver Gildart, Tommy Leuluai and Sean O’Loughlin replaced Liam Forsyth, Josh Ganson and Romain Navarrete.

It was a very, very quick-paced start to the game. Both teams were going hell for leather and they showed good defence in the opening stages.

Warrington scored the first try of the game through former Warrior Kevin Brown. The half-back jinxed his way in and out of the Wigan defence to score from close. Harvey Livett’s conversion looked to have hit the post and go through the uprights, but it wasn’t awarded by the match officials. The Wolves led 4-0 after 13 minutes.

The Wolves were denied a try by the video referee midway through the first half after Willie Isa kicked Tyrone Roberts’ kick dead.

Ben Murdoch-Masila extended Warrington’s lead on the half hour mark. The Tonga international charged over the top of Taulima Tautai to score. Livett added the extras to put his side in a 10-0 advantage.

Josh Charnley scored against his former club Wigan just before the break. The ball went through quick hands to Charnley who finished brilliantly in the corner. It was his 200^thcareer try. Livett’s boot made the score 16-0 to Warrington at half time.

Tom Lineham had a try disallowed in the 54^thminute after the ball went forward following a touch from a Wolves player.

Wigan were dealt a blow on the hour as hooker Leuluai was sin-binned for a cannonball tackle on Ben Westwood.

It was a slow half compared to the first but Warrington stretched their lead in the 75^thminute. Wigan came up with an error following a drop out and Warrington opted to take a shot at goal. Goodwin added the penalty goal, Warrington 18-0 Wigan.

Roberts added a drop-goal for the Wolves in the final minutes.

Declan Patton scored from the last play of the game and put the icing on the cake after showing some great support play. Goodwin failed to convert but Warrington progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup with a 23-0 win over Wigan.

Warrington: Ratchford; Lineham, Goodwin, Atkins, Charnley; Brown, Roberts; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Livett, Hughes, Westwood. Subs: Philbin, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Akauola. 

Wigan: S Tomkins; Davies, Bateman, Gildart, Marshall; Williams, Powell; Clubb, Leuluai, Flower, Isa, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Subs: Escaré, Sutton, J Tomkins, Tautai.

Starman: Tyrone Roberts was excellent for Warrington and was at the heart of everything they did in attack.

Attendance: 10,413