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Rugby League

Wigan into Challenge Cup semis

09/06/2007

Wigan have progressed to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup after beating Harlequins 25-6 at the JJB Stadium.

The Warriors ran out comfortable winners scoring four tries while Quins' Jon Wells was sent off early in the second half.

The home side took an early lead through Pat Richards' penalty before Chris Ashton claimed the first try after just four minutes.

Richards then added a second try midway through the half, chasing Sean O'Loughlin's kick and touching down in the corner.

That gave Wigan a 12-0 halftime lead, but Quins got themselves back in the game immediately after the break when Stephen Bannister crossed the whitewash following Danny Orr's pass.

Paul Sykes added the conversion to reduce the deficit to six points but the London side failed to add any further scores.

Quins' fightback did not last long and the Warriors regained their advantage when Mark Calderwood scored Wigan's third try of the evening.

Phil Bailey raced through the Quins defence to set up the score.

Shortly after Calderwood's try Wells was dismissed for a high tackle on Darrell Goulding and having gone down to 12 men Quins' hopes of winning the game faded.

Trent Barrett added a drop goal to ensure victory before O'Loughlin claimed the Warriors' fourth try in injury time.

Wigan have won the Challenge Cup 17 times and are now within one match of claiming a place in the final which will be played at the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

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