Wigan Warriors return to winning ways at Wakefield Trinity to tee up Challenge Cup semi-final derby
Wigan Warriors produced a stirring comeback to edge Wakefield Trinity 26-22 in a gripping Challenge Cup quarter-final, booking a mouthwatering semi-final clash with St Helens.
The hosts made a flying start and looked in complete control early on. Wakefield opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Ky Rodwell offloaded brilliantly to Mike McMeeken, who burst through the line before teeing up Jake Trueman to finish. Max Jowitt added the extras for a 6-0 lead.
Trinity doubled their advantage on 14 minutes, with Rodwell this time forcing his way over from close range. Jowitt again converted, stretching the lead to 12-0 and leaving Wigan with plenty to do.
The visitors responded strongly midway through the half. Patrick Mago sparked the fightback in the 21st minute, reacting quickest after Liam Farrell kept a chip alive. Adam Keighran converted to cut the deficit.
Momentum swung further Wigan’s way on 29 minutes when Liam Marshall finished expertly in the corner, with Keighran landing an excellent touchline conversion to level the scores at 12-12.
Wakefield, however, were not done. They regained the lead in the 33rd minute through Tom Johnstone, who finished sharply out wide, although Jowitt was unable to convert.
A frantic end to the half saw further drama. Mago briefly left the field for a head injury assessment before returning, while Wakefield were reduced to 12 men for a period when Jazz Tevaga was sin-binned for kicking out at Marshall.
Wigan capitalised just before the break. Jai Field latched onto a clever grubber from Harry Smith to score under the posts, with Keighran converting to give the Warriors an 18-16 half-time lead.
The second half began with Wigan extending their advantage. Youngster Zach Eckersley finished in the corner after another deft chip from Smith, although the conversion was missed.
Wakefield hit back in the 53rd minute through Cameron Scott, and Jowitt’s simple conversion brought the sides level at 22-22, setting up a tense final quarter.
The decisive moment came just after the hour mark. Mago, influential throughout, produced a superb cut-out pass to Keighran, who quickly released Eckersley to cross for his second try of the afternoon. The conversion drifted wide, but Wigan held a crucial four-point lead at 26-22.
Despite late pressure from Wakefield, the Warriors showed composure and resilience in the closing stages to see out the victory to bounce back from suffering back-to-back defeats in Super League to Huddersfield Giants and St Helens, setting up a Challenge Cup semi-final against rivals Saints.
Wakefield: Max Jowitt; Oliver Pratt, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Tom Johnstone; Jake Trueman, Mason Lino; Mike McMeeken, Tyson Smoothy, Ky Rodwell, Seth Nikotemo, Isaiah Vagana, Jay Pitts. Subs: Jazz Tevaga, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Harvey Smith, Tray Lolesio. 18th man: Matty Storton.
Tries: Trueman, Rodwell, Johnstone, Scott Goals: Jowitt 3/4
Wigan: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall; Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith; Sam Eseh, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Kian McDermott, Noah Hodkinson. 18th man: Taylor Kerr.
Tries: Mago, Marshall, Field, Eckersley (2) Goals: Keighran 3/5
Referee: Liam Moore | Attendance: 8,051