Wigan Warriors edge into final of Challenge Cup 2011 after beating St. Helens
The Wigan Warriors have booked themselves a spot in the final clash of the Carnegie Challenge Cup 2011, after clinching a victory of 18-12 over St. Helens on Saturday, August 6, at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Saints have now earned themselves their third consecutive defeat in the semi-final of the cup, where as Wigans has been a finalist seven years. The squad will fly to Wembley to try and become title holders for three consecutive years in a row.
Wigans exhibited strong defence during this semi-final clash which kept the Saints from grabbing a win. On the contrary, the Saints were showing strong attacking side but they were unable to bear fruitful result as they had to face the defence by the Wigans.
The initial spell of the game was heavily punctuated by three tries attempted by the Saints but those were all unsuccessful as the defence offered by the opponents was not allowing points to get scored. However, the initial 33 minutes into the game did not
score any side any scores.
During the first half of the game the only try that was scored was by Josh Charnley that led to the contribution on the board.
The two tries were scored by Jamie Foster of Saints. However, after having missed on the conversion once, Pat Richard clinically converted Foster’s try to make the scores 6-2.
The highlight of the semi final clash was Sam Tomkins who was splendid in his defence as he managed to turn down two tries initiated by Leon Pryce.
Paul Wellens pulled himself out of the tackle to pull Charnley well away from the touch line Saints were left with no time at all left to battle back the Wigans, as the ball pushed to the far left of the field.
Tomkins and Paul Deacon pushed the ball and create a perfect position for Charnley, to score the third try for his side, which was successfully converted by Richards to make the scores 18-2, which was followed by a pass by Joel Tomkins dropped by Carmont.
The Warriors were leading the clash by a huge difference of sixteen points with the score break up of 18-2 when they were rebutted by the Saints with only ten minutes remaining on the clock.
However, during the 64th minute into the game, when there was no hope at all left for Saints to respond back, Francis Meli created a try for Foster and the same scenario was replicated by saints only five minutes away.
Despite the last minute action by Saints that had worried the opponents, they could not make it into the finals. On the other hand, Michael Maguire, Wigan’s coach has received his best farewell as his outfit will tread into the finals, on August 27, at Wembley.
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