5th Round
Leeds Rhinos 18 l. Wigan Warriors 22

2007 Challenge Cup Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 18-22 Wigan Warriors
Wed May 16, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Wigan Warriors completed a hat-trick of Headingley wins to remain on course for a return to Wembley, scene of their record eight successive Challenge Cup triumphs in their heyday of the 1980s and 90s.

The Warriors followed up successive 20-18 away engage Super League victories over Leeds Rhinos with a 22-18 success in another tense duel to book their place in Tuesday's quarter-final draw.

Australian stand-off Trent Barrett was the architect of their fifth-round win, teasing and tormenting the Leeds defence with his exciting array of ball-handling skills, whil the Warriors were also indebted to the boot of Pat Richards, who landed five goals from as many attempts.

Leeds, who were the last team to win at the old Wembley, dominated the final quarter but Wigan defended heroically to keep their line intact under tremendous pressure.

The home side drew first blood five minutes into the game after running a penalty from in front of the posts when centre Clinton Toopi squeezed between Barrett and Phil Bailey for the opening try.

But it was nip and tuck throughout the first half and Wigan hit back five minutes later when full-back Chris Ashton supported a half-break by second rower Bryan Fletcher to score an equalising try.

Barrett was involved in that score and he provided another skilful touch on 21 minutes when loose forward Sean O'Loughlin raced onto his inside pass to sweep over for Wigan's second try.

Richards added both conversions to put the visitors 12-6 ahead but the scores were locked up again 10 minutes before half-time.

A series of penalties enabled the Rhinos to build momentum and the pressure paid off when full-back Brent Webb dummied his way past Gareth Hock for his 13th try of the season, to which Kevin Sinfield added his second goal.

Wigan missed a glorious chance to retake the lead when hooker Mick Higham burst clear and the supporting Ashton dropped his pass with a clear run to the line, while at the other end Leeds second-rower Gareth Ellis failed to take a difficult pass from winger Lee Smith in a tryscoring position.

Wigan did manage to edge back in front early in the second half when Leeds were caught not square at the play-the-ball and Richards kicked a penalty.

But the penalty count against the visitors continued to mount, with Bailey twice pulled up for "spear" tackles, and he was put on report by referee Phil Bentham for one on substitute Ian Kirke.

Another piece of magic from Barrett almost produced another Wigan try but the final pass went astray and there was a moment of alarm for the Warriors when the former St George Illawarra captain hurt himself in a collision with Webb.

Barrett was able to continue after treatment and, after Richards added a second penalty, he supplied the final pass for Wigan's third try on 52 minutes.

A jinking run from rugby union-bound Ashton split the Leeds defence wide open and Barrett's long pass enabled former Leeds winger Mark Calderwood to cut inside his man to touch down.

Richards maintained his 100 per cent record with a fifth goal to make it 22-12 but Webb twisted out of Thomas Leuluai's tackle to plant the ball on the line for his second try on the hour and Sinfield's goal cut the gap to just four points.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Smith salutes Wigan defence

Article: Noble: Warriors won't crumble


Peacock, Bailey and Diskin named in Rhinos squad for Wigan Cup clash
Thu May 10, 2007
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

Jamie Peacock, Matt Diskin and Ryan Bailey have all been named in Tony Smith's 20 man squad for this Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup 5th round tie against Wigan.

All three missed Sunday's win over Bradford at the Millennium Stadium but are in contention for Saturday's game against Wigan.

Peacock picked up an ankle injury in the win over Catalans, Diskin had a re-occurrence of a groin injury whilst Ryan Bailey suffered a calf strain in the final training session before Sunday's game. Ali Lauitiiti is also expected to be available after suffering a knee injury down in Cardiff.

Unfortunately, centre Ashley Gibson is unavailable and the club are awaiting the result of scans on a knee injury suffered in the Catalans games.

The squad in full is:

1. Brent Webb
2. Scott Donald
3. Clinton Toopi
4. Keith Senior
5. Lee Smith
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
9. Matt Diskin
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Gareth Ellis
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Ali Lauitiiti
15. Jamie Thackray
16. Ryan Bailey
18. Ian Kirke
22. Carl Ablett
23. Jordan Tansey
25. Ryan Hall

Tickets for the game are on sale now although fans will be able to pay on the day for entry to all areas of the ground. Tickets have been on sale for nearly a month and season ticket holders for both clubs can purchase their ticket in advance for as little as 12 pounds for adults and 7 pounds for concessions, a saving on 5 pounds on the usual matchday admission.

Both the Leeds and Wigan ticket office have tickets on sale now for the game however fans will also be able to pay on the day at the increased matchday admission prices. For this game, there will be cash turnstiles on all sides of the ground including the South Stand for matchday admission. Because of the limited capacity of the South Stand, there will only be two cash turnstiles in operation (one each for adult and concession) with tickets being issued to fans as they pass through the turnstile. Fans who wish to go in the South Stand are still urged to pre-purchase their ticket to help alleviate congestion at the turnstile and make their entry into the ground as smooth as possible.

The easiest and most convenient way for fans to book tickets is online or alternatively they can book in person at the Headingley Carnegie or JJB Stadium ticket office or call the Leeds hotline on 08700 606050 or the Wigan hotline on 0871 6633552.

News sent by: www.leedsrugby.com

Wed April 4, 2007
• Cup Draw will excite players - Cummins
  

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