Westwood’s Wolves chasing Challenge Cup

Three Wembley wins in the last five years is a record they are justifiably proud of but Warrington Wolves will head for East Yorkshire with a mixture of confidence and caution on Sunday for their Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Hull Kingston Rovers.

Warrington captain Ben Westwood is acutely aware of their opponents’ recent form and knows the Wolves will have to be at their best if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the last 16 of Rugby League’s oldest and most prestigious trophy.

“They’ve just hit some form and at home they’re a very good team,” said Westwood. “They’ve always been difficult to beat and we were embarrassed by them a few years back.

“It’s the first round for us, and it’s going to be a real tough ask – everything is on the line again this weekend.

“If we do what we do well, hopefully we can come out on top. We will do everything in our power to try and get to that final.”

Warrington go into the tie having recorded an impressive win last weekend, when they came from 14-4 behind to defeat  Huddersfield Giants with 29 unanswered points in the second half.

“We weren’t quite on the ball in the first half but the second was a pretty powerful performance,” said Westwood.

“We put in a really good 40 minutes which will put some confidence into the players and hopefully we can take that into the Challenge Cup tie.”

Whilst Warrington have an impressive record in the Cup in recent years, the disappointment of last year’s agonising semi-final defeat to Hull FC serves only to increase the motivation for Westwood.

“We’ve had a little bit of a taste of Challenge Cup success over the last few years but a bit of disappointment too,” he said.

“Going out to Hull FC last year spurs us on, the trophies are the aims and winning them is what we want to do this year. There are some of the best players in the world here and to be lifting trophies at Wembley Stadium – there’s nothing better.”

Tickets for the Tetley’s Challenge Cup fourth round tie, Hull Kingston Rovers v Warrington Wolves  at KC Lightstream Stadium on Sunday  (2.00pm) cost £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £7 for juniors. Discounted tickets are available for fans who buy their tickets before 5.00pm on Saturday.