Challenge Cup Final Review

Hull FC came from behind to secure the 2016 Challenge Cup and claim a first success at Wembley with a 12-10 win over Warrington Wolves.

Both sides started the game well with very few errors and penalties conceded in the opening stages and it was a case of two great defences in scorching heat as the half went on.The game looked to set to be all square going into half-time but with five minutes left of the first 40, Chris Sandow raced clear after intercepting a Frank Pritchard pass only to be caught by a superb chase from Jamie Shaul.

The next play saw Matty Russell cross for the opening score with Kurt Gidley converting for a 6-0 lead. The slim lead could have been extended in the final seconds of the half but Sandow chose to go for a run over a potential drop goal chance leaving FC just one score behind at the interval.

Warrington had a great chance to boost their lead less than two minutes after the restart but Gidley clipped the penalty attempt past the post. The Wolves did extend the lead though with 54 minutes on the clock as Daryl Clark picked out Ben Currie who raced over out wide but Gidley was unable to convert at 0-10.

A superb 40/20 from Marc Sneyd gave FC great field position and the final tackle of the set saw Sneyd kick high for Mahe Fonua to collect and stretch over the line before Sneyd converted for 6-10 with 18 minutes left. Sneyd provided again with a clever dink forward which resulted in Fonua finding Jamie Shaul who crossed to put FC level at 10-10. Sneyd converted to give FC a 12-10 lead with just four minutes to go.

Warrington went achingly close in the final two minutes but superb defence from Danny Houghton denied Ben Currie as the Black and Whites survived to claim a first ever Wembley triumph.

The Qualifiers Round Three Review

Robins Defeat Red Devils

Hull Kingston Rovers made it two wins from three in The Qualifiers as they defeated Salford Red Devils 29-12.

The Robins flew out of the blocks with Josh Mantellato crossing for the opening try inside two minutes which he converted for a 0-6 lead which soon became 12-0 as James Greenwood crossed in the 12th minute. Mantellato converted before adding a penalty goal to open up a 0-14 lead which was then cut by Mason Caton-Brown's effort for the hosts for 4-14.

Mantellato added a second penalty goal to increase the lead to 4-16 before he converted a Ken Sio try as the Robins moved to a comfortable 4-22 advantage. Gareth O'Brien had the last say on the half as he converted a penalty goal for 6-22 into the interval.

O'Brien cut the gap for Salford even further with a self-converted try on 51 minutes for 12-22 but it was to be in vain as the Mantellato added his third penalty goal of the game ahead of an Albert Kelly drop goal for 14-25. Thomas Minns put the gloss on a fine win for the visitors with an effort three minutes from the end.

Rhinos Hold Off Battling Broncos

Saturday afternoon at Ealing Trailfinders saw London Broncos lose out 42-28 to Leeds Rhinos who made it three wins in a row in the competition.

London took a surprise lead after five minutes through Rhys Williams with Jamie Soward converting for 6-0 but Leeds fought back with a try from Tom Briscoe and self-converted effort from Liam Sutcliffe for a 6-10 lead. James Cunningham crossed for the hosts with Soward kicking them into a 12-10 lead but a second try from Briscoe and score from James Segayaro gave the Rhinos a 12-20 advantage at the interval. 

Leeds took control with Jordan Lilley, Mitch Achurch and Kallum Watkins all crossing within 12 minutes of the restart as the lead moved to 12-36. Nick Slyney reduced the deficit before Briscoe completed his hat-trick to bring up the 40 point mark. London had the last say though as they ran in two late scores through Iliess Macani and Elliot Kear. 

Giants Gut Battling Bulldogs 

Huddersfield Giants made it two wins in a row as they secured a 58-28 away to Batley Bulldogs. 

The Bulldogs took a surprise early lead as Dom Brambani converted a penalty goal inside two minutes before the Giants fought back with an array of tries from Leroy Cudjoe, Gene Ormsby, Eorl Crabtree, Jake Connor and a Tom Symonds brace for a 2-30 lead after 26 minutes. 

The Giants looked to have the game won by half-time as Joe Wardle crossed ahead of a brace for Ryan Brierley as they held a 2-48 lead into the interval. 

Batley stemmed the spree with efforts from Shaun Squires and Dave Scott with Brambani converting both for 14-48. Second tries for Squires and Cudjoe and a hat-trick try for Brierley moved the score to 20-58 before a late double from Chris Ulugia and Scott closed the gap to 30 points. 

Centurions Deny Rovers

The final game of the weekend saw a battle between two Championship sides as Featherstone Rovers just fell short in an 18-30 loss to Leigh Centurions. 

Leigh raced into an early 0-12 lead with efforts from Reni Maitua and Mitch Brown with Martyn Ridyard converting both. Josh Walters crossed for the hosts with Kyle Briggs converted before adding a penalty goal five minutes before the interval for 8-12. 

Matty Dawson and Micky Higham crossed either side of the hour to push Leigh's advantage to 8-22 but Fev remained in the contest with a Luke Briscoe try and a self-converted effort from Briggs to close the gap to 18-22. However, the fightback was quelled by a Ridyard penalty goal and last-gasp try from Gareth Hock as the Centurions made it three wins from three games.

Super 8s Round Three Review

Fabulous FC Demolish Dragons

Hull FC secured their spot in the play-offs with a comfortable 44-0 rout of a poor Catalan Dragons side at the KCOM Stadium.

The hosts rested players ahead of next week's trip to Wembley but after 20 minutes, it seemed not to make a difference as they had raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Dean Hadley and Mahe Fonua with Marc Sneyd converting both. The Dragons looked to be out of the contest by the interval as Mark Minichello crossed for a try which Sneyd converted before adding two penalty goals  for a 22-0 half-time advantage.

Catalan were unable to stem the FC spree as Fetuli Talanoa crossed for the first try of the second half within three minutes of the restart for 28-0 before Fonua struck his second as the 30 point mark was broken at 32-0. A superb performance from Sneyd saw him get on the board with a try on the hour which he converted superbly for 38-0. As the game entered the final ten minutes, it was a case of when not if FC scored again and a clever effort from Frank Pritchard was the icing on the pre-Wembley cake as he crossed and Sneyd converted to complete the rout. 

Gelling Trebles As Wigan Nil Saints 

Wigan Warriors regained second spot with a superb 25-0 Derby success over St Helens at the DW Stadium.

A stunning start from Wigan saw Anthony Gelling cross in the corner with his effort confirmed by the video replay, Matty Smith converted for a 6-0 lead inside four minutes. Defence from both sides was strong as the half went on but a clever move from Wigan saw Gelling cross for his second try which Smith improved for a 12-0 lead into the interval.

As the hour approached, Smith swept over a drop goal for 13-0 , wary of a Saints comeback but any hopes of such comeback were dashed just seven minutes later as Gelling broke away and raced clear of the chasing Saints defenders to complete his hat-trick, the first in a derby since 2003. Smith was unable to convert at 17-0 but made up for his miss with a penalty ten minutes from the end to confirmed the win at 19-0.

Saints had not been nilled in a league derby since the 8-0 loss back in 1955 but faced the ending of that record when George Williams crossed with 77 minutes on the clock, Smith converted and Wigan celebrated a superb turnaround from the 23-4 loss to their rivals just four weeks ago.  

Last Gasp Wolves Deny Tigers

Warrington Wolves became the second team to secure a play-off spot as they secured a 14-11 win at home to Castleford Tigers.

The Wolves started the better of  the two sides with Joe Westerman putting them ahead inside eight minutes with Kurt Gidley improving the effort for 6-0. Castleford fought back with a Denny Solomona try which Luke Gale converted to level at 6-6 before Gale kicked the Tigers into a 6-8 lead ahead of the interval with a penalty goal.

Another Gale penalty within six minutes of the restart pushed the Tigers' advantage to four at 6-10 but the Wolves got themselves back level with a Rhys Evans effort on the hour for 10-10. The sides remained level into the final minutes and looked on course to draw but Luke Gale had other ideas as he swept over a drop goal to surely seal the win for the Tigers at 10-11. However, a short kick off from the restart saw Jack Hughes cross to seal the win for the hosts who as a result move into second spot.

Vikings Vanquish Weary Wildcats

The final game of round three saw a battle between seventh and eighth as Widnes Vikings hosted Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. 

A good start from the Vikings saw them race into an 18-0 lead inside the opening quarter with tries from Patrick Ah Van, Rhys Hanbury and Matt Whitley all converted by Lloyd White. Widnes added a further score just before half-time as Corey Thompson crossed with White converting for a huge 24-0 lead at the interval. 

Wakefield's woes continued just five minutes after the restart as Stefan March crossed for 28-0 before a self-converted effort from White four minutes later looked to have sealed the win at 34-0. Wakefield did strike back though as Craig Hall crossed for 34-4 but a second from Ah Van with Thompson converting confirmed the win at 40-4. The last say went to Wakefield as Ben Jones Bishop scored six minutes from the end for 40-8.

The Qualifiers Round Two Review

Rhinos Deny Robins

Leeds Rhinos opened round two with a narrow 20-18 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers at Headingley on Friday night. 

A tight first quarter saw the sides remain level at 0-0 before an opening try on 28 minutes as Kallum Watkins crossed for the hosts with Liam Sutcliffe converting for 6-0. Sutcliffe added a penalty goal two minutes before half-time for an 8-0 lead at the interval. 

The Robins cut the gap within three minutes of the restart with James Greenwood crossing for a try which Josh Mantellato converted for 8-6 before Mantellato levelled at 8-8 with a penalty on 51 minutes. Sutcliffe restored the lead for the hosts at 10-8 with a penalty before James Segeyaro increased the lead to 16-8 with 13 minutes left. KR hit back through James Donaldson for 16-14 before a second try from Segeyaro looked to have sealed the win with 77 minutes played. George Lawler's late effort made it 22-18 but Leeds managed to hold on for the two points. 

Leigh Secure Salford Win

Saturday afternoon saw Leigh Centurions secure a 32-26 win over Salford Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village.

The hosts opened the scoring after just seven minutes as Reni Maitua crossed before a second try from Corey Paterson just five minutes later saw Martyn Ridyard convert for 12-0. Mason Caton-Brown got Salford off the mark on 15 minutes with Gareth O'Brien converting for 12-6. Leigh regained their two score lead thought with a try from Gregg McNally before Niall Evalds crossed for the visitors to make it 18-10. Leigh went into the interval with a 20-10 lead after Ridyard added a late penalty.

Salford's comeback began on 55 minutes with Robert Lui's try for 20-16 but nothing more came until the final ten minutes of the game which saw a quick double from Adam Higson and Matty Dawson put Leigh on course for the win at 32-16. Salford didn't go down easily though as they ran in two tries in the final three minutes with Ben Murdoch-Masila crossing ahead of Caton-Brown's second but they were unable to complete the comeback as Leigh celebrated a six point success. 

Brilliant Broncos Batter Bulldogs

London Broncos bounced back superbly from their opening loss with a 76-16 hammering of Batley Bulldogs.

The Broncos raced into a 22-0 lead inside the first quarter with efforts from Jamie Soward, Dan Harrison, Iliess Macani and Andy Ackers with Soward converting three of four conversion attempts. Batley were powerless to hold off more punishment from the Broncos in the first half as Macani scored his second ahead of tries from James Cunningham and Matt Garside who crossed for a 38-0 half-time advantage. 

The London spree resumed within three minutes of the restart as Macani completed his hat-trick for 44-0 before Batley got off the mark with two tries in four minutes as James Brown and Alex Rowe crossed with Dom Brambani converting both for 44-12. However, London shook off the dent in their scoring streak with a brace from Rhys Williams ans a Jack Bussey score for 58-12. Chris Ulugia crossed for the Bulldogs for 58-16 but the Broncos resumed their charge with Cunningham claiming his second score ahead of Williams' hat-trick try for 70-16. The rout was completed with eight minutes left as Matt Iaone crossed and Soward kicked his tenth conversion for a 60 point triumph. 

Glorious Giants Rout Rovers

The final game of the round came from the John Smith's Stadium as Huddersfield Giants stormed to a 62-16 win over Featherstone Rovers.

The Giants opened up a 12-0 lead inside the first quarter with tries from Michael Lawrence and Oliver Roberts with Jamie Ellis converting both but the Rovers replied with an effort from John Davies with Kyle Briggs converting to make it 12-6. However, Huddersfield took control with tries from Gene Ormsby and Ryan Brierley before a second score from Roberts sent them into the interval leading 28-6.

Ukuma Ta'ai and Kyle Wood extended the lead within ten minutes of the restart for 38-6 before Featherstone stemmed the Giants' spree through Luke Briscoe for 38-10. A second score from Wood made it 44-10 but Fev replied yet again as Ian Hardman crossed for 44-16. Second scores from Brierley and Ta'ai brought up the 50 point mark at 56-16 before Ryan Hinchcliffe crossed late on to put the gloss on a huge win for the Giants which saw Ellis kick a ninth conversion.

Super 8s Round 2 Review

Talanoa Trebles As FC Nil Vikings 

Hull FC moved two points clear at the top of the Super8s table as they claimed a 38-0 win against a weakened Widnes Vikings.

A tight first 20 minutes saw both sides strong in defence with Widnes looking the likeliest to score with a number of missed chances but it was to be FC who struck first as Jordan Abdull made his mark in place of injured star Marc Sneyd before converting for 0-6. Fetuli Talanoa crossed twice in the space of eight minutes sandwiching an effort from Mahe Fonua with Abdull converting twice for a 0-22 lead at the interval.

Steve Michaels extended the lead ten minutes after restart before a first try of the season from Dean Hadley saw Abdull convert for 0-34 to seal the win for FC but they were not done there as Talanoa completed his hat-trick with nine minutes left to leave Widnes with a nilling to recover from as FC bounced back from their opening loss last week. 

Super Saints Deny Dragons

St Helens continued their superb winning streak as they moved closer to cementing a play-off spot with a 39-16 win over fellow hopefuls Catalans Dragons.

The hosts fell behind early on as Dave Taylor crossed for the opening try on seven minutes with Lucas Albert converting for 0-6. A superb first half hat-trick from Adam Swift saw him cross in the 19th, 25th and 40th minutes with conversions from Luke Walsh and Jack Owens with an effort from Jason Baitieri for the Dragons coming between Swift's second and third as Saints led 16-12 at the interval. 

Two penalties from Walsh within ten minutes of the restart saw the lead increased to 20-12before Swift claimed his fourth try for 26-12. Walsh sent over a drop goal for a 15 point lead at 27-12 before Catalan struck back through Vincent Duport for 27-16 but Saints were not to be caught as Owens and Joe Greenwood crossed in the final eight minutes to complete the win. 

Solomona Trebles As Tigers Halt Warriors

Castleford Tigers secured back-to-back scalps of the top two as they extended their perfect start to the Super 8s with a 36-22 win against Wigan Warriors at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

The Tigers took just nine minutes to open the scoring against a Wigan side fielding 1-7 in their backline for the first time in 2016 who had to look on as Denny Solomona raced down the wing for 4-0. The move came as the Warriors were short on the wing after the injury to Dom Manfredi but they fell further behind to a Luke Gale penalty for 6-0 just three minutes later.

Paul McShane extended the lead on the half hour for 12-0 before a try from Sam Powell and Matty Smith conversion closed the gap to 12-6 ahead of the interval. Solomona claimed his second try ten minutes after the restart before securing his hat-trick after Ben Flower had crossed for Wigan with Gale adding another penalty for 24-12 after an hour.

Wigan staged a comeback with efforts from John Bateman and Lee Mossop but just one conversion from two left the gap at four points at 26-22. Castleford were not done though and sealed the win with a try from Wigan loanee Ryan Hampshire on 77 minutes before Oliver Holmes put the gloss on the win with a last-gasp try as the Tigers avoided a fourth loss in 2016 to the Warriors.

Wolves Secure Wildcats Win

Warrington closed up on top spot with a 38-10 win away to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday afternoon. 

The hosts opened the scoring after just four minutes as Jon Molloy crossed with Liam Finn converting for a 6-0 lead. The Wolves fought back with efforts from Ben Currie, Chris Hill, and Ryan Atkins with Kurt Gildey converting two of three attempts for a 6-16 lead at the interval. 

Matty Russell extended the leas within seven minutes of the restart for 6-22 before a first senior try for Judah Mazive made it 10-22. Warrington took full control from the hour mark with Daryl Clark crossing ahead of a second try for Russell before Joe Westerman put the gloss on the win with a try five minutes from the end. 

The Qualifiers Round One Review

Rhinos Rout Rovers

A battle between the highest and lowest placed sides head of the regular season split came from Post Office Road as Featherstone Rovers hosted Leeds Rhinos on Saturday. 

The Rhinos opened the scoring inside seven minutes through Kallum Watkins with Liam Sutcliffe crossing and converting for 0-10. Featherstone got off the mark just after the half hour as Anthony Thackeray crossed with Kyle Briggs converting. Joel Moon got the Rhinos back over the line ahead of a Sutcliffe penalty for 6-18 into the interval. 

Alike the first half, Kallum Watkins crossed within seven minutes of the half before Mitch Achurch, Carl Ablett and Tom Briscoe all crossed before the hour mark for a 6-40 lead. Sutcliffe reached six conversions before scoring his second try for 6-44. The Rhinos kept going with a second try from Moon before Watkins scored his hat-trick and fourth try in the final two minutes to complete a 6-62 rout. 

Centurions Survive Broncos Charge

The only all Championship clash of the opening round saw Leigh Centurions host London Broncos at Leigh Sports Village. 

The two sides exchanged penalty goals early on with Martyn Ridayrd and Jamie Soward kicking for 2-2. Matty Dawson crossed for the first try of the afternoon for 8-2 before Ben Hellewell replied with Soward levelling with the boot. The hosts went into the interval in the lead though as Mitch Brown crossed in the final minute of the half for 14-8. 

Ridyard added a penalty goal within three minutes of the restart before a Reni Maitua effort and second efforts from Brown and Dawson opened up a 34-8 advantage with just 14 minutes remaining. London mounted a stunning comeback with four tries in the final five minutes with Api Pewhairangi crossing twice ahead of efforts from Andy Ackers and Jack Bussey with Pewhairangi converting three but the Broncos just fell short in a 34-30 loss.

Red Devils Rally Guts Giants 

Salford Red Devils made a superb start in The Qualifiers as they secured a comfortable 34-12 over Huddersfield Giants at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The hosts made a stunning start by racing into a 14-0 lead inside 15 minutes as George Griffin crossed for the opening try ahead of an effort from Mason Caton-Brown with Gareth O'Brien converting both before adding a penalty goal.

The Giants went into the interval not only without scoring but 20-0 behind as Weller Hauraki late in the half.

Salford's spree resumed in the 52nd minute as Ben Murdoch-Masila crossed for 24-0 before Nathan Mason got the Giants off the mark with Danny Brough converting for 24-6 before Oliver Roberts opened his account for the season for two tries in three minutes for Huddersfield for 24-12. However, Salford were not to be caught as Caton Brown secured his hat-trick with further tries in the 63rd and 73rd minutes to complete the win. 

Rampant Robins Batter Bulldogs

The final game of the round came from the KC Lightstream Stadium as Hull Kingston Rovers hosted Batley Bulldogs.

Batley took a surprise lead as Alistair Leak crossed inside four minutes with Pat Walker converting for 0-6 before the Robins ran riot as they levelled through Shaun Lunt's converted try before a brace from Thomas Minns and tries from Matty Marsh and James Greenwood saw Josh Mantellato converted the lot for a 30-6 lead.  Minns completed a first half hat-trick with three minutes left of the first 40 but Batley had the last mark on the half as Tom Lillicrop crossed for 36-12 into the interval. 

Ben Cockayne resumed the Robins' spree on 51 minutes ahead of a second try from Greenwood and a Maurice Blair try on the hour which brought up the 50 point mark at 52-12. A fine kicking performance from Mantellato saw him claim a try five minutes from the end which he converted for a huge personal points haul of 22. Batley did manage to have the last say alike in the first half as Alex Rowe crossed late on with Walker converting for a 58-18 final score.

Super 8s Round 1 Review

Wolves Denied As Saints Extend Streak

A superb Super 8s opener at the Halliwell Jones Stadium saw St Helens hold off Warrington Wolves to secure a narrow 20-18 victory.

A tight first quarter saw both sides commit numerous errors in passing over some good attacking moves but the deadlock was broken on 21 minutes as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook crossed superbly with Mark Percival converting for 6-6 before an effort from Daryl Clark saw Kurt Gildey level at 6-6 with the boot. Jonny Lomax regained the lead for Saints four minutes before the interval with Percival successful again for a 6-12 half-time lead.

Defence from both sides was superb and with the game tightening up, Percival converted a penalty goal for 6-14 just before the hour mark and it was vital as Jack Hughes crossed within four minutes with Gidley's conversion closing the gap to two at 12-14. The narrow advantage increased for St Helens as Jordan Turner rounded off a man-of-the-match performance with a superb try on 69 minutes - 12-20.

Previous meetings between the sides have seen tight finishes over the years and this was to be no different as Ryan Atkins crossed with seven minutes left with the boot of Gidley closing the gap again to just two points at 18-20. The Wolves battled late on to sneak the win and had a Rhys Evans try disallowed as he had entered touch before crossing the try line leaving Percival's earlier penalty to be the crucial winning points. 

Wonderful Warriors Rout Weakened Wildcats

Friday night's non televised action came from the DW Stadium as Wigan Warriors romped to a 60-12 hammering of a weakened Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. 

Wigan raced into a 22-0 lead inside the first half hour as George Williams, Sam Powell, Josh Charnley and Sam Tomkins all crossed with Matty Smith converting three from four attempts. Wakefield fought back with an effort from Joe Arundel which Liam Finn converted for 22-6 but its the only plus in the half as Wigan went into the interval at 30-6 with tries from John Bateman and Oliver Gildart. 

Dom Manfredi and Dan Sarginson crossed either side of a second try from Williams with Jake Shorrocks taking over kicking duties to convert all three for a huge 48-6 advantage which became 54-6 with a second Tomkins effort. Craig Hall stemmed the Wigan spree with 13 minutes left for 54-12 but the final say went to the Warriors two kickers as Smith crossed for a try with Shorrocks extending his 100% record to bring up the 60 point mark.

Terrific Tigers Floor FC

Friday's televised action came from the KCOM Stadium as league leaders Hull FC hosted Castleford Tigers. 

The Tigers opened the scoring inside four minutes through Greg Minikin for 0-4 before racing into a 0-20 lead inside the first half hour with tries from Ryan Hampshire, Luke Gale and Luke Dorn. The lead lasted into the interval leaving the hosts needing a huge comeback to avoid defeat.

Any thoughts of a comeback were dented by Hampshire's second try for 0-24 but a trio of tries from FC saw Steve Michaels, Danny Washbrook and Jamie Shaul cut the deficit to 16-24 with six minutes left but the Tigers sealed the win in the final minute as Adam Milner crossed with Gale converting for 16-30.

Dragons Deny Vikings 

Saturday afternoon saw the opening round come to a close at the Stade Gilbert Brutus as Catalans Dragons hosted Widnes Vikings. 

The Dragons opened the scoring as Jodie Broughton crossed in the 19th minute before Justin Horo extended the lead with Thomas Bosc converting for 10-0. The slim lead lasted into the interval as the Dragons moved halfway to ending their horrific losing streak.

Widnes hit back within seven minutes of the restart through Matt Whitley with Lloyd White converting for 10-6. Fouad Yaha ran in an 18 minute second half hat-trick which saw Bosc converting the first two efforts as the hosts looked to have sealed the win at 26-6. Widnes did have the final say as Patrick Ah Van crossed five minutes from the end for 26-10.

Challenge Cup Semi Final Reviews

Hull Halt Wigan

Friday night saw the first semi final take place at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium as Wigan Warriors faced Hull FC. 

A tight first 15 minutes saw the sides remain level until George Williams opened the scoring for Wigan with Matty Smith converting for 6-0. Marc Sneyd got FC off the mark with a penalty goal for 6-2, a scoreline which lasted into the interval. 

Matty Smith converted a penalty goal within three minutes of the restart for 8-2 before a Steve Michaels try and Sneyd conversion levelled at 8-8. FC went in again four minutes later through Fetuli Talanoa for 8-14 before Sneyd made it 4/4 with the boot for 8-16 just before the hour mark. Wigan hit back through Willie Isa ten minutes from the end but were unable to draw level despite numerous late chances.

Wembley For Wolves After Wakefield Rout 

Warrington Wolves strolled past Wakefield Wildcats to secure a 17th Challenge Cup final appearance after a 56-12 rout at Leigh Sports Village.

Wakefield started the better of the two sides with Toronto bound Craig Hall crossing for the opening try inside five minutes with Liam Finn converting for 0-6. Warrington took just ten minutes to draw level through Jack Hughes with Gidley converting ahead of a penalty goal for 8-6. Tries from Daryl Clark, Rhys Evans were followed by a self-converted try from Gidley as the Wolves opened up a 24-6 lead into the interval.

Chris Sandow and Stefan Ratchford increased the gap with efforts within eight minutes of the restart for 34-6 before tries from Ben Currie and Toby King, improved by Gidley's kicking put the contest to bed at 46-6 before the hour mark.

Former Wakefield forward Ben Westwood crossed to punish his former side further with Ratchford converting for 52-6. Wakefield stemmed the Wolves' spree through Max Jowitt with Finn converting for 52-12 but they didn't have the last say as King crossed for his second to complete the rout and send the Wolves to Wembley to meet Hull FC on Aug 27.