Round 5
Salford City Reds 16 d. Wigan Warriors 4

2006 Challenge Cup Index [Draw] [Player Stats]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: Challenge Cup

Salford eliminate Wigan from Challenge Cup
Sat May 20, 2006
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan are out of the Powergen Challenge Cup following a Fifth Round defeat to the Salford City Reds at The Willows on Friday night.

Three tries in the opening fifteen minutes as Salford opened up a 16-0 advantage that proved too big a hurdle for the Warriors to return from. After both sides had drawn a blank in the opening forty minutes it was that spell of the game that proved decisive.

It was a fairly rough tough start by both sides but it was Salford that came the nearest to scoring in the opening exchanges on 13 minutes, Aaron Moule breaking down the left from half way. The centre managed to stretch out to touchdown but he put a foot out of play in the process. That was shortly followed by a Dunemann high kick to the corner, Dallas and Hodgson rising, the ball out.

Wigan got themselves into a couple of positions in the Reds 20 metre area but were unable to take an early strangle hold on this Challenge Cup tie. Danny Orr providing an opportunity for the returning Gareth Hock close to the line but he lost possession with 21 minutes on the clock.

Salford and Wigan tried to throw the ball around looking for the first points of the game, both maybe too adventurous at times. The greasy conditions not really helping matters as the two teams looked to get the first advantage in this tense local derby.

It's very rarely you witness a half scoreless after 40 minutes but that was the way of it at The Willows.

The first points finally coming on 50 minutes as Sean Rutgerson forced his way over from close range, Wilshere added the easy conversion to make it 6-0.

Ashton made a great stop on Clayton close to the line on 54 minutes, unfortunately from the next play the ball Salford found a gap and Stuart Littler was able to make it 10-0, this time the extras were missed.

On 58 minutes the home side were in again, Sibbit and Finnigan combining down the left and Aaron Moule this time able to gather the last pass for the Reds third try in quick succession. Stephen Myler added the conversion from out wide but Karl Harrisons men had opened up a 16-0 advantage.

On 65 minutes the Warriors responded, Goulding with a pass out the back door, Pat Richards with the try, Tickle missed the goal 16-4 the score.

Disappointment for the Warriors to go out of the cup and again there were plenty of positives to come from a hard working performance. It now leaves Wigan with the main task at hand and Super League points.

Salford City Reds
Karl Fitzpatrick, David Hodgson, Aaron Moule, Stuart Littler, John Wilshere, Andrew Dunemann, Luke Robinson, Paul Highton, Malcolm Alker, Sean Rutgerson, Ian Sibbit, Andy Coley, Simon Finnigan
Subs - Chris Charles, Gareth Haggerty, Stephen Myler, Ryan Clayton

Wigan Warriors
Chris Ashton, Brett Dallas, Darrell Goulding, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards, Sean O'Loughlin, Danny Orr, Scott Logan, Mick Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Danny Tickle, Bryan Fletcher
Subs - Jerry Seuseu, Bryn Hargreaves, Wayne Godwin, Dennis Moran

Referee - P Bentham
Attendance - 5888

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Article: Noble's Notes

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