Ladbrokes Challenge Cup: Warrington Wolves’ road to the final
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Wembley hosts the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final this Saturday. And it’s eight-time winners Warrington Wolves who are 1/2 favourites against surprise package Catalans Dragons.
You can check out the Perpignan club’s route to the final here.
But read on to find out how the Wire made it to Wembley – including a demolition of transatlantic opposition and a spectacular nilling…
Fifth Round – Warrington Wolves 54-6 Bradford Bulls
This was about as straightforward as it comes. The League 1 outfit were sent packing by a typically ruthless display from Steve Price’s side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Four tries in the first 22 minutes from the hosts set the tone. And that was before Josh Charnley got into gear. The wing wizard scored four tries, with three of them coming in a seven-minute spell either side of the interval.
Sixth Round – Toronto Wolfpack 10-66 Warrington Wolves
The upwardly-mobile Wolfpack are currently bidding for promotion to Super League – and sit third in the 2018 Qualifiers. But they were no match for SL opposition on this occasion.
The first half was actually fairly close, with Warri going in 12-10 up. But the second period was an absolute blitz.
Having had back-rower Andrew Dixon dismissed for punching, the Wolfpack just couldn’t contain a classy Wire side. Tom Lineham chalked up three tries, while Charnley and Tongan international Ben Murdoch-Masila got two apiece.
Quarter Finals – Warrington Wolves 23-0 Wigan Warriors
All signs ahead of this game suggested a close-fought affair. But a stunning defensive display from the Wire defence saw Shaun Wane’s dreams of leaving Wigan with another Challenge Cup title crumble.
It was more or less over as a contest by half-time. Warrington went in 16-0 up, with Kevin Brown’s mazy opener the pick of the bunch.
Declan Patton rounded things off with a late try, capping off an utterly barnstorming display.from Price’s men.
Semi-Finals – Warrington Wolves 48-12 Leeds Rhinos
Few sides have reached a Challenge Cup Final in quite such dominant fashion as Warrington in 2018.
Each of their four wins have come by a margin of over 20 points, including this demolition of 2017 Grand Final winners Leeds Rhinos.
Charnley and Lineham were in sparkling form with two tries each, while stand-off Kevin Brown grabbed his 150th career try. The composed Tyrone Roberts also kicked successfully for all eight tries.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
