Wigan Warriors reach the Challenge Cup Final in derby win

It was the Wigan Warriors who came out on top in the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final as they overcame current holders, St Helens, by a close scoreline of 20-18.

Tries from Liam Marshall (2), Cade Cust and Liam Farrell made the difference as Matt Peet’s side avoided a second-half scare from the Saints and held on to claim a place in the final which is to be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 28.

It was a dream start for the Warriors who took the lead inside three minutes after Jake Bibby picked out Liam Marshall who dove and slammed the ball down to put the Warriors ahead.

Wigan nearly doubled their lead after Bevan French picked up on a mistake from Saints and ran the length before Jack Welsby brilliantly caught the Warriors man and prevented a second try of the afternoon which did see Joe Batchelor sin binned for holding down the Wigan man.

But just a minute later, Wigan did manage to double their advantage as Cade Cust span away from the tackle and piled over to put Wigan further ahead.

St Helens struggled to contain the Wigan pressure and before Kristian Woolf’s side could blink, it was three tries for the Warriors as Liam Farrell spotted a gap and raced through to put Wigan 14-0 to the good at the interval.

But the second half began in unbelievable fashion as St Helens came out all guns blazing and took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Konrad Hurrell got one back for the Saints as he evaded two Wigan players and started what was nine minutes of pure quality and dominance from the current Challenge Cup holders.

Jonny Lomax was the next to go over as he latched onto a touchdown from Makinson which allowed Lomax to score and get the Saints right back into the game.

And before Wigan knew it, their impressive first 40 minutes was pushed aside as Saints took the lead through James Roby who produced a spectacular individual effort, weaving in between Wigan bodies before diving over the Elland Road try line.

With Saints leading, the final ten minutes were tense as both sides pushed for a final try of the afternoon, and it went to the Warriors as Liam Marshall ran from inside his own half and was unable to be caught as he drew Matt Peet’s side level.

Harry Smith’s conversion in front of the sticks put the Warriors two ahead and left the Saints chasing the game once again.

But Wigan remained composed despite a frantic second-half dominated by St Helens and held out to cement their place in the Betfred Challenge Cup final.

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