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Rugby League

Saints advance to Challenge Cup semis

09/06/2007

St Helens moved a step closer to defending their Challenge Cup crown after a determined display earned Daniel Anderson's side a 25-14 win over Warrington Wolves.

The holders followed great rivals Wigan into the last four after bouncing back from a 12-4 half-time deficit.

When Lee Gilmour swooped on Willie Talau's well-weighted kick ahead after just two minutes to put the Knowsely Road outfit into an immediate 4-0 lead it seemed unlikely they would require a second-half revival to stay in the competition.

But Kevin Penny's searing break just before the half-hour mark allowed Lee Briers to kick the visitors ahead.

They duly increased their lead four minutes later when Henry Fa'afili's cheeky dummy combined with brute strength to carry him over the line.

The hosts needed a rapid riposte after the break and Francis Meli supplied it as he snatched Sean Long's restart kick from over the head of Chris Riley before feeding Talau for a try.

Ten minutes later Ade Gardner scooted into the corner for Saints but Paul Wellens saw his conversion attempt drift wide of the uprights to leave the game poised on 12-12.

Briers struck back with a penalty to put the Wolves into a slender lead, it was not enough as St Helens finished far stronger with Gilmour dotting down on the hour before a James Roby try wrapped up the win with just three minutes remaining.

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