Craig Gower has set his sights on Wembley after guiding London Broncos past a stubborn Batley in the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
The dual-code international celebrated his 34th birthday by playing a key role in the Broncos' hard-fought 22-16 victory over an enthusiastic Bulldogs outfit who revelled in the atrocious weather conditions at Mount Pleasant.
Gower, who played rugby league for Australia and rugby union for Italy, created early tries for Jamie O'Callaghan and Matt Cook as the Londoners stormed into a 16-0 lead but they had to battle hard to withstand a Batley fightback and secure their place in Tuesday's quarter-final draw.
"I never thought you could get that cold running around," said Gower. "What a great experience! The boys ripped in, the Batley boys ripped in.
"It makes you appreciate things coming to places like this, toughing it out. Being my birthday as well and getting the win, it's a good day.
"We needed that win. Obviously Wembley is the big picture but there's plenty of football before that."
Batley's battling performance demonstrated the enduring romance of the Challenge Cup, according to Bulldogs coach John Kear, who famously masterminded shock final wins for Sheffield Eagles and Hull.
"I think the cup has been re-ignited a bit this year," he said. "Obviously Featherstone beat Cas and produced a great effort against Wigan so I think the romance of the cup has been re-born.
"My team has played a part, certainly Featherstone have and hopefully Leigh can give a good account of themselves in the next round."
