Wigan are through to their 33rd Challenge Cup final after seeing off Salford 27-14 in an absorbing semi-final match.
In a nail-biting encounter where the lead changed hands relentlessly, the Warriors finished stronger to book their place at Wembley next month to meet Hull FC.
The Red Devils, seeking to end a 48-year absence from the Cup final and a 79-year since last winning it, were brave and committed at Warrington. But it wasn’t their day after giving it everything and Wigan are off to Wembley for the chance to win their record 20th Challenge Cup crown.
Liam Farrell missed out on selection for Wigan, while new signings Tyrone McCarthy and Manu Vatuvei made their debuts for Salford. Robert Lui was left out, leaving Todd Carney to start in the halves, and Gareth O’Brien was on the bench with Niall Evalds at fullback.
The match started like a house on fire – Salford monstering Frank-Paul Nuuausala in the first tackle and then forcing an error. The stadium was rocking with noise and atmosphere. Red Devils had the ball right on Wigan’s try-line after just 50 seconds, but couldn’t find a way through. Then the Warriors went right down the field and Anthony Gelling put Tom Davies in for a try with an outrageous one-handed offload. But Davies’ foot was in touch and it was chalked off. It was an intense start right from the opening.
The pressure continued to mount on Salford after Weller Hauraki lost the ball. Wigan moved the ball to the left, then to the right, with space again for Davies to touch down in the same space. But the pass was forward and the try was not given, with the Red Devils saved once more.
The Warriors were dominating, gaining easy metres in the middle, and finally they found a way through that couldn’t be disallowed. Oliver Gildart crossed in the eighth minute, after Wigan exposed an opening in the Salford defence, and Shaun Wane’s side had the 6-0 lead they duly deserved.
The Red Devils were shell-shocked and soon were 8-0 behind, with a George Williams’ penalty goal after a brilliant Sam Tomkins snipe from dummy half. Wigan were breaking tackles at will and making half-breaks constantly. Willie Isa was the next to score after a lovely pass from Williams. After 17 minutes it was 12-0 but the Warriors were completely in control in every facet. It could have been much more.
Salford finally got their hands on the ball but George Griffin was pulled down inches from the Wigan try-line. Then in the 23rd minute Ian Watson’s men powerfully hit back after a set backline play on the right. Greg Johnson was put over by Evalds and it was game on. The Red Devils had a sniff and suddenly they were in again. Michael Dobson grubbered and McCarthy beat the rushing pack to score. After a frenetic 26 minutes it was all square at 12-12.
TRY! 26' @TykeMc with a debut try and Salford could go level here
WIG 12-10 SAL
Lama Tasi was forced off soon after with what looked like a crusher tackle. But Salford were riding a wave of momentum and Todd Carney nailed a 40-20. McCarthy almost had another try, off a Carney kick, but Tomkins tackled him without the ball. The Wigan fullback was yellow-carded and Dobson nailed the penalty to make it 14-12.
Momentum swung back to the Warriors, despite being a man down, and they were on the attack right before half-time. A penalty gave them excellent field position but Salford just held them out. The second half started with a brilliant effort from Wigan as Tomkins, back on the field after his sin-binning, put Joe Burgess through a hole and the big winger galloped over from 60 metres out. But Niall Evalds amazingly pulled him down right on the line and the video referee controversially ruled no-try. Salford still had their noses poked in front.
As the clouds over the Halliwell Jones Stadium darkened the tension grew. In the 55th minute Williams leveled the scores with a penalty goal. Wigan then went ahead 16-14 two minutes later with another penalty goal. It was edge of your seat stuff.
Then came a break down the left from Wigan as the heavens opened. Burgess chipped inside smartly to Michael McIllorum. That made it 20-14 and the Warriors had some breathing room with 19 minutes left. Salford looked out on their feet and then Tomkins slotted a drop goal in the 65th minute to take it to a crucial seven-point lead. The Red Devils needed a miracle.
With nine minutes to go Carney kicked another splendid 40-20. Gelling was sin-binned, after stopping a quick play, but Salford shot themselves in the foot with a Tasi knock on. The minutes ticked away. The Red Devils were desperate for a response but mistakes crept in with the wet conditions. With less than 120 seconds left Gildart dived over for his second try to wrap the game up.
