Wigan book Semi Final place

• Wigan Warriors secure a place in the Coral Challenge Cup Semi Finals with victory over Hull FC.
• Braces for Bevan French and Liam Farrell helped Wigan secure the win.
• Full time: Hull FC 4-36 Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors booked their place in the Coral Challenge Cup Semi Finals after a comfortable victory over Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Doubles for Bevan French and Liam Farrell, as well as tries from Sam Powell, Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess confirmed Wigan’s place in the Semi Final to face Leeds Rhinos.

The Cherry and Whites got off to a flyer when hooker Powell crossed for the first score of the game in the fifth-minute in his 200th appearance for Wigan. A fantastic offload from the returning Sean O’Loughlin set up the chance for Powell to power over.

Things got even better for Adrian Lam’s men in the 10th-minute when Liam Farrell grabbed the second try of the game. The second-row reacted quickest to a Jackson Hastings’ grubber and touched down in the Hull end-zone.

Wigan increased their lead further in the 23rd when French tricked his way through the Hull FC line to score in the right corner. A Conner Wynne knock-on gifted the Warriors possession deep in the Black and Whites half, which Wigan’s full-back took full advantage of.

After a lengthy spell of pressure from FC, the Warriors counter attacked and added a fourth try of the afternoon, and a second for French. Zak Hardaker broke away down the right and produced a sumptuous grubber in-field to find the on-rushing French to score.

Winger Burgess added a fifth try on the stroke of half time, running home from 80 metres after scooping up a dropped ball by Hull’s Mahe Fonua.

A hard-fought opening 15 minutes in the second half lead to Wigan’s sixth try of the afternoon. A well-crafted reverse ball from half-back Harry Smith found the onrushing Farrell who waltzed over for his second of the game.

Centre OGildart grabbed another for the Cherry and Whites in the 66th-minute, latching onto another great short ball from the youngster Smith.

It took until the 70th minute for FC to get their first score of the tie, with winger Fonua powering over in the corner, assisted by a Jake Connor pass.

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Hull FC: Conner Wynne, Mahe Fonua, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Griffin, Bureta Faraimo, Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd, Masi Matongo, Jordan Johnstone, Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, Sonatane Ma’u, Joe Cator.

Interchanges: Daniel Houghton, Jack Brown, Liligiifo Sao, Tevita Satae.

Tries: Fonua (70’)

Conversions: Sneyd (0/1)

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Dom Manfredi, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Tommy Leuluai, Jackson Hastings, Ethan Havard, Sam Powell, Oliver Partington, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin.

Interchanges: Mitch Clark, Joe Greenwood, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith.

Tries: Powell (5’) Farrell (10’, 56’), French (23’, 38’) Burgess (40’), Gildart (66’)

Conversions: Hardaker (4/7)

Referee: Robert Hicks

Video Referee: Ben Thaler