Quarter Finals
Wigan Warriors 25 d. Harlequins 6

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

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

Wigan Warriors 25-6 Harlequins RL
Sun June 10, 2007
Source: www.therfl.co.uk

Former Challenge Cup kings Wigan Warriors again have Wembley in their sights after seeing off Harlequins RL to advance to the semi-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Tries from Chris Ashton and the in-form Pat Richards gave the Warriors a 12-0 half-time advantage and, although Steve Bannister pulled a score back at the start of the second period, Quins could not find another.

Instead, Mark Calderwood crossed again for Wigan and, after Trent Barrett's drop goal, a last-minute score from man-of-the-match Sean O'Loughlin sealed the misery for Quins, who had Jon Wells sent off after the break.

The Warriors were forced into a late team change when Shane Millard dropped out with a sore jaw and young hooker Mike McIlorum was promoted to the bench for his debut.

Quins were without Australian star Scott Hill but welcomed back former Wigan favourite Henry Paul, who starred for the Warriors during the tail end of their Wembley dominance.

Wigan got off to a dream start when, after an early Richards penalty goal, they crossed for a four-pointer with just four minutes gone.

O'Loughlin made the break down the right wing and, with Calderwood on his outside and Chris Ashton on his inside, he plumped for the young full-back who scored under the posts.

Richards added the extras for 8-0, but the Warriors were checked with the departure of form prop Iafeta Paleaaesina with what looked to be a knee injury shortly after although he later reappeared.

Wigan continued to look the team most likely to score, however, and extended their lead halfway through the half when Richards won the race to a clever kick from O'Loughlin, although the angle beat Richards' conversion attempt.

Quins' best chance of the opening half was when Chris Melling was pulled back for a forward pass after a lovely probing run from Danny Orr, and the former Wigan stand-off then forced a goalline drop-out from Calderwood with a stab into the corner.

Quins clearly needed something to kickstart them into the game, and they got it straight from the kick-off.

A hesitant Leuluai allowed the ball to bounce and, although Richards just prevented it going into touch, he was bundled over the whitewash for a Quins scrum, which led to Steve Bannister taking Orr's looping pass to score by the posts.

Paul Sykes converted for 12-6, but the Warriors scored their third try within three minutes when Calderwood was on the shoulder of a rampaging Phil Bailey, with Richards' conversion pushing the lead back out to 12 points.

The Londoners' cause was not helped shortly after when winger Wells was sent off for a high shot on youngster Darrell Goulding, referee Ben Thaler brandishing red on the advice of his touch judge.

The closest they came after that was when Sykes made a clean break down the right but, as his winger made the decision to come inside, the pass flew into touch.

And, when Barrett secured the victory with a drop-goal with just four minutes left, a sizeable chunk of the 10,835 crowd - the highest Carnegie Challenge Cup attendance this term - took it as their cue to depart.

Those that did leave early missed the icing on the cake from the immense O'Loughlin, whose punishing defence had done much to deter any hint of a Quins comeback.

Report source: www.therfl.co.uk

Article: Warriors eye Wembley Final


Wigan advance to Challenge Cup Semi-Finals
Sat June 9, 2007
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan progressed through to the Semi-Finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup with a win over the Harlequins at the JJB Stadium on Friday night.

It was a hard working performance, the Warriors solid in defence and took advantage of the scoring opportunities that came their way. Tries from Ashton, Richards ,Calderwood and O'Loughlin late on with only a Bannister touchdown to show for the Harlequins.The visitors reduced to 12 men just after the hour mark with the sending off of Jon Wells and Brian Noble's men gained some revenge after the Super League defeat by the same side in the capital last weekend.

Wigan took the lead in the opening two minutes from the boot of Pat Richards, Quins penalised for an incorrect play the ball. Richard's penalty was struck from 35 metres out.

Just two minutes later came the games first try. Sean O'Loughlin with the break from inside his own half, he drew the full back and fed Chris Ashton for a try under the sticks. Richards made it two from two and a great start for the Warriors leading 8-0.

It took another 16 minutes before a further score. Harlequins had plenty of possession but were unable to make anything of it and it was Wigan who extended their lead on 20 minutes. A clever grubber kick from Sean O'Loughlin found Pat Richards the quickest to react to pounce on the loose ball. This time the extras were missed but the Warriors led 12-0.

Quins came close to their first points as Danny Orr dummied the Wigan defence, he was bundled into touch on 29 minutes as he looked for the try.

On 30 minutes Wigan brought on 19 year old Michael McIlorum for his debut, McIlorum replacing the injured Shane Millard in the Warriors 17.

Good defence from Bryan Fletcher saw the Aussie steal the ball off Julien Rinaldi as he made a break and was looking for some points to bring the visitors back into the game close to half time.

It was Brian McDermott's side that started the second half brightly, Wigan guilty of allowing the ball to bounce from the kick off and Richards was bundled into touch. The Quins then forced a goal line drop out and McLinden and Rinaldi worked their magic to send in Stephen Bannister for the try on 43 minutes. Paul Sykes struck the extras to make it 12-6.

Wigan responded on 46 minutes, great break down the right from Phil Bailey and he had Mark Calderwood in support. The winger raced away for Wigan's third try of the evening. A superb Pat Richards conversion made it 18-6 to open up the 12 point lead once more.

Harlequins were down to 12 men on 53 minutes as Jon Wells was sent off for a high challenge on Darrell Goulding. Referee Ben Thaler showing Wells the red card following a discussion with his touch judge.

Wigan had just about done enough by then to secure the win and when the Quins threw away a golden chance with 8 minutes left to score a try it was to be the Warriors night. Trent Barrett added a 76th minute drop goal to make it 19-6.

A fully deserved win with Captain Sean O'Loughlin winning the Carnegie man of the match award and it was appropriate he crossed for the games final try with seconds left. Richards added the goal and it ended 25-6.

Wigan Warriors 25
T - Ashton, Richards, Calderwood, O'Loughlin
G - Richards 4
DG - Barrett
Team - Chris Ashton, Mark Calderwood, Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki,Pat Richards, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mickey Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin. Subs: Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Darrell Goulding, Michael McIlorum.

Harlequins RL 6
T - Bannister
G - Sykes
Team - Chris Melling, Jon Wells, Paul Sykes, Tyrone Smith, Andy Smith, Danny Orr, Mark McLinden, Karl Temata, Chad Randall, David Mills, Matt Gafa, Lee Hopkins, Henry Paul. Subs: Stephen Bannister, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Michael Worrincy, Steve Bannister.

Referee - Ben Thaler
Attendance -10,835

Jon Wells sent off for the Quiins on 53 minutes.

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

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