Warrington established the Batefred Challenge Cup semifinal with Leigh after a 20-12 victory over local rival St Helens at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The Wolves took a slim two-point lead from 10 minutes in a pulsating quarter-final game when Captain George Williams scored a 75-meter race to get a game-winning attempt, and Marc Sneyd converted to an eight-point advantage.

Matt Dufty and Ben Currie also landed on a four-goal home run with Sneyd.

The victory put Sam Burgess’ side six straight wins against the Saints and put them just 80 minutes from Wembley as they looked better after they beat Wigan last season’s Cup Cup final.

The Saints played all in an entertainment match and were answered by Jon Bennison converted Etristan sailors and Daryl Clark’s attempt.

As expected, it was a ferocious tie start, with visitors taking up the field position and applying pressure but failing to record any early points, while the wolf brace Paul Vaughan was forced to dislocate with his fingers.

It was the home team who opened the score after 16 minutes, when Williams’ top-notch pathway sent the supported dufty to the right of the post for an opening attempt, which Sneyd converted.

The fierce defense of both sides continued to be the order of the day, with Saints forwards Sailon and Jack Winfield both forced to get rid of Hias’s actions.

When Jonny Lomax followed up his kick, he almost raised the Saints level but failed to drop the ball before it died.

However, three minutes before the end of the half, Lomax played a problem this time, as the Mariners followed up and Benison converted to a 6-6 level.

Warrington regained the lead eight minutes after restarting, when Sneyd fined the Saints after offside. It was after the exciting 70-meter run by Ashton, who was rejected by Jack Welsby’s rescue tackle.

The Saints reacted almost immediately, but Joe Batchelor lost ownership as he watched the ball and flowed from head to end, and Ashton struggled to rule out the effort to pass forward.

Sneyd kicks perfectly for Currie in 55 minutes, and Sneyd converts to 14-6, but when Clark scores, the Saints knocks back immediately, while Bennison converts to drop the lead to two points.

In a breathless finale, Williams’ long-range effort lifts the Wolf to the last four.

Burgess calls Williams

Warrington coach Sam Burgess praised Captain George Williams for his contribution after defeating St Helens’ quarterfinals.

“George broke the game at the end, and there was something ready to go for one of their players (Curtis Seronnen) touring, which wasn’t the nature center he used, and that’s probably the last difference,” Burgess said.

“I didn’t expect to have a break because that wasn’t the kind of game, but it was a good moment when he showed it clearly.

“He’s a talented player, he’s been playing because he’s fighting for everything and has some lovely feel today.

“The ball back inside is just a few guys, having fun there, his attempts are very good, his kicking execution is very good.

“He made some good decisions in the game and might drag us home.”

The victory put the Wolves in a row against the Saints and put them only 80 minutes from Wembley as they faced the win in the semifinals.

“It’s a tough game, and the Saints have been tough against some people and players who haven’t finished the game, but when we need it, I think we’re tough, picking each other when we need it.”

“It’s a great competition, it’s all we expected, and I just need to praise the spirit of our group.

“It’s a great team effort as a team, they have connections on defense, hungry on the field, so everyone contributed.”

St. Helens coach Paul Wellens is proud of his team’s efforts, saying: “We have two second rows in the center and middle units in the back row, so I’m very proud of how the players handle this destruction.

“But obviously, the overwhelming feeling is a disappointment to not reaching the semifinals.

“I still think when we go back to 14-12 we can go on and win, but when we’re in a good position we do something to ourselves – little things like turnovers – and the momentum of the ball changes the momentum of the game.”

Betfred Challenge Cup Quarterfinals

Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-finals

• Hull KR vs Catalan Dragon
• Warrington Wolf and Leopard

* Will be broadcast on May 10/11

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