Sport : Rugby League

FRENCH DELIGHT FOR WOLVES

13th May 2012, 07:36pm

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Brett Hodgson: Warrington's hero

Brett Hodgson: Warrington's hero

Warrington withstood a second-half fightback to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Catalan Dragons and book their place in the last four of the Carnegie Challenge Cup after a 32-22 win on Sunday.

Veteran full-back Brett Hodgson was the Wolves' hero, setting up a try for winger Joel Monaghan, scoring one himself and kicking three goals to give the Wolves a 14-6 lead after half an hour.

Prop Lopini Paea touched down for the home side but centre Ryan Atkins carved out a try for winger Chris Riley five minutes before half-time and Hodgson's fourth goal made it 20-6 at the break.

But Prop Michael Simon and hooker Ben Fisher both exposed chinks in the Warrington defence to score tries within seven minutes of the re-start and Scott Dureau added both goals to cut the deficit to just two points.

Prop Paul Wood took a pass from Lee Briers to cross for Warrington's fourth try to ease the growing anxiety in the visitors' camp but centre Vincent Duport's 71st-minute try gave the Frenchmen renewed hope and it took an interception try from centre Chris Bridge to clinch it seven minutes from time.

Huddersfield went on a nine-try spree to demolish a disappointing London Broncos 50-14 and complete the line-up for the last four of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Hooker Luke Robinson was the Giants' hero with a brace of tries to help set up a semi-final clash against Warrington and a chance to avenge Huddersfield's defeat in the 2009 Wembley final.

The Giants' tries came from Luke Robinson (2), Jermaine McGillvary, Larne Patrick, Greg Eden (2), Aaron Murphy (2) and Dale Ferguson, with Danny Brough (5) and Scott Grix (2) adding goals.

Scott Wheeldon and Kieran Dixon (2) replied for London, who had taken an early lead in the game, with Michael Witt successful with one kick.

Wigan remain on course to successfully defend the cup after grinding out a hard-fought 18-4 victory over arch rivals St Helens in scrappy quarter-final at the DW Stadium on aturday.

Saints led 4-0 early on but were gradually overpowered as they failed for the first time for 12 years to reach the last four, leaving the Warriors to join last year's runners-up Leeds in the hat for Sunday's semi-final draw.

With little to choose between the teams, Wigan were no doubt grateful for home advantage after finally getting the go-ahead to play the tie at the DW Stadium, where a bumper crowd lapped up a second derby victory of the season following their Super League triumph at Langtree Park on Good Friday.

Captain Kevin Sinfield scored 28 points as Super League champions Leeds safely negotiated a smooth passage into the semi-finals with a 60-12 victory over plucky part-timers Leigh on Friday night.

Sinfield was one eight different tryscorers to demonstrate impressive teamwork as the Rhinos, runners-up for the last two years, moved to within 80 minutes of a third consecutive Wembley appearance.

Rob Burrow, Ben Jones-Bishop, Shaun Lunt, Sinfield (2,) Ryan Hall (2), Brent Webb, Danny McGuire and Lee Smith all crossed for the Super League side, with Sinfield converting them all.

The Championship side managed a try in each half through Gregg McNally and Tommy Goulden, with Martyn Ridyard adding the extras.

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