In a season that has featured many surprises, it was always going to be a weekend of unpredictability in the Challenge Cup last four which resulted in the creation of an all-Yorkshire final for the Wembley showpiece.
Hall Double Ends Wolves Hopes
Leeds secured their place in the final and the chance to end a run six successive final losses with a battling win over Warrington who were unable to go one better than last seasons semi-final loss.
The Rhinos showed their intent early on when Kevin Sinfiield elected to kick for goal and did so successfully for a 2-0 lead inside three minutes, a lead that lasted until the 25th minute after both sides had held firm against each others attacks with Ryan Hall crossing for a try that was subject to a video review.
The try was eventually awarded and Kevin Sinfield converted successfully for a 8-0 lead meaning Warrington needed a response to avoid being cut adrift but instead the Wolves fell further behind three minutes before half-time as Ryan Hall claimed his second score of the afternoon after a superb lengthy pass from Danny McGuire. Kevin Sinfield made it three successes in a row with the boot to make it 14-0 into the interval.
Warrington responded early in the second period with Chris Bridge crossing for the Wolves first try but unfortunately he was unable to add a successful conversion and Leeds led 14-4 but Warrington's good start soon soured as Leeds regained their 14 point lead with a try from Joel Moon and with no conversion the score became 18-4.
Chris Hill looked to have reduced the deficit just three minutes later but after a video review the try was denied but the Wolves did claim their second try of the game when Stefan Ratchford crossed and despite a video review, the try was awarded and Chris Bridge added a conversion for 18-10.
Leeds opened the lead up to 14 points again in the 67th minute when an interception by Tom Briscoe saw him race unchallenged down the field and to cross for a superb try which Kevin Sinfield converted with ease for a 24-10 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
However, Warrington were still in with a chance when Ben Westwood scored in bizarre circumstances in the 75th minute as he was literally handed an easy try after a knock-back from a Leeds defender saw the ball find him just metres from the line and he ambled over for the try. The effort was subjected to a video review to determine how the ball reached the Wolves player but the try was soon awarded.
Chris Bridge converted for 24-16 to give the Wolves a slim hope going into the final minutes but the Rhinos held firm to seal a return to Wembley for the first time since 2011.
Tigers Cruise Past Vikings
Castleford secured their place in the final for the first time since 1992 with a comfortable win over Widnes who missed the chance to reach the final for the first time since 1993.
Castleford raced into a 10-0 lead inside nine minutes after tries from Liam Finn and Daryl Clark were added to by a conversion from Marc Sneyd to give the Tigers an early boost.Widnes still had reasonable hopes at the interval despite a try from Kirk Dixon putting Castleford 14-0 up at the break.
However, Jamie Ellis crossed just eight minutes into the second half and with Marc Sneyd converting for 20-0 it seemed Widnes' hopes were drifting away and were all but ended with 13 minutes to go when Marc Sneyd added a penalty for 22-0.
Jake Webster confirmed the win for the Tigers with a try in the 70th minute with was followed by a successful conversion from Marc Sneyd making it 28-0 but Widnes did have the last say as they avoided suffering a defeat to nil when Jack Owens crossed for a try in the 75th minute and added a conversion for a final score of 28-6.
However, the result itself was dampened by violent scenes following the hooter with the Widnes fans seemingly causing the most trouble which included the Castleford Tigers mascot being attacked in the melee.
Hall Double Ends Wolves HopesLeeds secured their place in the final and the chance to end a run six successive final losses with a battling win over Warrington who were unable to go one better than last seasons semi-final loss.
The Rhinos showed their intent early on when Kevin Sinfiield elected to kick for goal and did so successfully for a 2-0 lead inside three minutes, a lead that lasted until the 25th minute after both sides had held firm against each others attacks with Ryan Hall crossing for a try that was subject to a video review.
The try was eventually awarded and Kevin Sinfield converted successfully for a 8-0 lead meaning Warrington needed a response to avoid being cut adrift but instead the Wolves fell further behind three minutes before half-time as Ryan Hall claimed his second score of the afternoon after a superb lengthy pass from Danny McGuire. Kevin Sinfield made it three successes in a row with the boot to make it 14-0 into the interval.
Warrington responded early in the second period with Chris Bridge crossing for the Wolves first try but unfortunately he was unable to add a successful conversion and Leeds led 14-4 but Warrington's good start soon soured as Leeds regained their 14 point lead with a try from Joel Moon and with no conversion the score became 18-4.
Chris Hill looked to have reduced the deficit just three minutes later but after a video review the try was denied but the Wolves did claim their second try of the game when Stefan Ratchford crossed and despite a video review, the try was awarded and Chris Bridge added a conversion for 18-10.
Leeds opened the lead up to 14 points again in the 67th minute when an interception by Tom Briscoe saw him race unchallenged down the field and to cross for a superb try which Kevin Sinfield converted with ease for a 24-10 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
However, Warrington were still in with a chance when Ben Westwood scored in bizarre circumstances in the 75th minute as he was literally handed an easy try after a knock-back from a Leeds defender saw the ball find him just metres from the line and he ambled over for the try. The effort was subjected to a video review to determine how the ball reached the Wolves player but the try was soon awarded.
Chris Bridge converted for 24-16 to give the Wolves a slim hope going into the final minutes but the Rhinos held firm to seal a return to Wembley for the first time since 2011.
Tigers Cruise Past VikingsCastleford secured their place in the final for the first time since 1992 with a comfortable win over Widnes who missed the chance to reach the final for the first time since 1993.
Castleford raced into a 10-0 lead inside nine minutes after tries from Liam Finn and Daryl Clark were added to by a conversion from Marc Sneyd to give the Tigers an early boost.Widnes still had reasonable hopes at the interval despite a try from Kirk Dixon putting Castleford 14-0 up at the break.
However, Jamie Ellis crossed just eight minutes into the second half and with Marc Sneyd converting for 20-0 it seemed Widnes' hopes were drifting away and were all but ended with 13 minutes to go when Marc Sneyd added a penalty for 22-0.
Jake Webster confirmed the win for the Tigers with a try in the 70th minute with was followed by a successful conversion from Marc Sneyd making it 28-0 but Widnes did have the last say as they avoided suffering a defeat to nil when Jack Owens crossed for a try in the 75th minute and added a conversion for a final score of 28-6.
However, the result itself was dampened by violent scenes following the hooter with the Widnes fans seemingly causing the most trouble which included the Castleford Tigers mascot being attacked in the melee.
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