Leeds edge Wigan in Challenge Cup - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Leeds edge Wigan in Challenge Cup

By Daniel Schofield 30/05/2010 07:10:34 AM Comments (0)

Lee Smith's last-gasp try booked Leeds Rhinos' place in the Challenge Cup semi-final with a dramatic 12-10 victory over Super League leaders Wigan at Headingley.

Thanks to the boot of ex-Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards, the Warriors were on top for the majority of the match played in appalling conditions.

But despite his five goals, Smith struck with just one minute remaining to give the Rhinos the lead for the first time in the match and put them a step closer to Wembley.

After Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield saw two early kicks hit the uprights, Richards was on target with three goals to put the visitors 6-0 ahead.

But their good work in the first half was undone by front rower Andy Coley who gave away two penalties in the last six minutes which allowed half-back Sinfield to make the halftime score 6-4.

Both sides struggled to fashion try-scoring opportunities in the first half with defences ruling supreme in the wet conditions in west Yorkshire.

Yet even when Liam Farrell - on as a replacement for Joel Tomkins who needed eight stitches after being caught by a flailing boot from Keith Senior - was sin-binned for a late tackle on Danny McGuire, the home side could not take advantage of their numerical superiority.

Sinfield and Richards traded two further penalties and it was only in the last five minutes that Leeds truly threatened.

But when former Gold Coast Titans centre Brett Delaney butchered a simple try-scoring pass to ex-Manly winger Scott Donald their chance looked to have gone.

Instead a fantastic tackle from England skipper Jamie Peacock put them on the front foot again and Sinfield fed Smith to skip his way around Martin Gleeson and Richards to break Wigan hearts.

Ex-Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers forward Ned Catic scored two tries for Championship minnows Barrow but there was to be no fairy tale as they were went down 32-12 to St Helens.

Paul Clough got the ball rolling for the home side after good work from England half-back Kyle Eastmond, who would later be carried off with an ankle injury, but when front rower Catic went over the scores were level.

Even when Clough got his second and Jonny Lomax went over before the break, Barrow were making life difficult for their illustrious opponents.

The 2,000 travelling fans were again given hope through Catic's second try after the break made it 16-12 but eventually the superior fitness levels of the Super League side told.

Lomax, James Roby and former Newcastle Knights centre Matt Gidley all crossed to seal Saints' place in the last four for a record 10th consecutive year.

Things also went according to plan for Catalan Dragons who survived a potential banana skin trip to Championship side Batley in their resounding 74-12 win.

Despite coach Kevin Walters' decision to stand down at the end of the season in midweek, the Dragons showed few signs of nerves with 11 different players being among the tries.

French internationals Jamal Fakir and Olivier Elima crossed twice with former Melbourne Storm winger Steven Bell also getting in on the act.

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