Warrington set up a Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Leigh after a thrilling 20-12 victory over local rivals St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
In a pulsating quarter-final contest the Wolves held a slender two-point lead 10 minutes from time when captain George Williams went 75 metres up the pitch for the match-winning try, which Marc Sneyd converted to open up an eight-point advantage.
Matt Dufty and Ben Currie also crossed for the home side with Sneyd landing four goals.
The win made it six consecutive victories against the Saints for Sam Burgess’ side and leaves them just 80 minutes away from a return to Wembley as they look to go one better after last season’s cup final defeat by Wigan.
Saints played their full part in an entertaining contest and replied through tries by Tristan Sailor and Daryl Clark, both converted by Jon Bennison.
Tristan Sailor of St Helens celebrates after scoring a try
As expected it was a ferocious start to the tie, with the visitors dominating field position and applying pressure but failing to register any early points, while Wolves prop Paul Vaughan was forced from the field with a dislocated finger.
It was the home side who opened the scoring after 16 minutes when a superb inside pass from Williams sent the supporting Dufty over to the right of the posts for the opening try which Sneyd converted.
Ferocious defence from both sides continued to be the order of the day, with Saints forwards Sironen and Jake Wingfield both forced from the action for HIAs.
Jonny Lomax almost pulled Saints level when he followed up his own kick but just failed to ground the ball before it went dead.
Matty Ashton of Warrington celebrates the win
But three minutes before half-time another Lomax kick this time did the trick as Sailor followed up to touch down and Bennison converted to send the sides in level at 6-6.
Warrington regained the lead eight minutes after the restart when Sneyd booted over a penalty after Saints were adjudged offside. It came after a thrilling 70-metre run by Ashton who was denied by Jack Welsby’s try-saving tackle.
Saints almost produced an immediate response but Joe Batchelor lost possession as he looked to ground the ball and as play ebbed and flowed from end to end, Ashton had an effort ruled out for a forward pass.
A Sneyd kick bounced perfectly for Currie on 55 minutes to score, which Sneyd converted to stretch the lead to 14-6 but Saints hit back immediately when Clark scored and Bennison converted to cut the lead to two points.
In a breathless finale it was Williams’ superb long-range effort which saw the Wolves progress to the last four.
Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final results
Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final draw
- Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons
- Warrington Wolves vs Leigh Leopards
*ties to be played on May 10/11
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