Men's Challenge Cup semi-finals: Warrington Wolves v Hull FC & St Helens v Halifax

Summary

Super League leaders St Helens to face Warrington in Challenge Cup final
Saints beat brave Halifax 26-2 in second semi-final
Tries from Roby, Peyroux, Lomax and Fages break down second-tier side
Warrington beat Hull 22-14 in first semi-final earlier on Saturday
Final to be played at Wembley on 24 August

Live Reporting

Andrew Aloia

'We have to take it in our stride'published at 14:13 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington 4-0 Hull FC
Speaking before the match, Hull coach Lee Radford told BBC One:
"We have to stay relaxed, as a player I made the mistake of playing the game a thousand times in my head before kick-off so taking it in your stride worked for us previously and hopefully that will be case today.
"Having Albert Kelly back is big for us, he's pivotal to what we do, he's very important and hopefully we will see the best of him today.
"There's going to be nothing in it - whoever takes their opportunities when they've got the wind in their sail is going to be important."
'All about doing the basics right today'published at 14:13 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington 4-0 Hull FC
Here's what Warrington coach Steve Price had to say before kick-off:
"We've got a really good opportunity to turn our form around today against a really strong Hull FC team.
"We're really looking forward to the challenge, I know what sort of team I have and it's all about doing the basics well in the big games.
"We have a lot of experience and we need our best 17 to contribute."
Image source, SWPIX.COM
TRY: Warrington 4-0 Hull FCpublished at 7 mins
Bryson Goodwin
Warrington should've scored moments before when they had an overlap but they get away with it.
Albert Kelly throws a pass into the midriff of Ratu Naulago and the Hull winger drops it practically on his own line.
It's ruthlessly punished as one pass to Bryson Goodwin sees the former Kiwi international dive into the corner.
Ratchford doesn't add the two, but it's the Wire who strike first.
Media caption,
Hull punished for drop as Goodwin goes on to score a try
Postpublished at 5 mins
Warrington 0-0 Hull FC
Up and under from Mar Sneyd this time and again he didn't quite nail it. Josh Griffin jumps highest put can only knock forwards.
Warrington respond by kicking very deep themselves through Blake Austin and it's the first set for either side that they'll have to start from their own line.
Postpublished at 2 mins
Warrington 0-0 Hull FC
It took 97 seconds for Marc Sneyd to kick out of hand for the first time, and he didn't get it right. The greasy surface means it skids off the pitch and goes dead so Warrington can tap from 20.
But, the Hull FC half-back was given way too much time to pick his spot there. Surely that won't last?
Kick-offpublished at 1 min
Warrington 0-0 Hull FC
Image source, Rex Features
We're under way. Stefan Ratchford catches for Warrington after Marc Sneyd kicks for Hull FC. This is set up to be a really tight contest.
Let's hope it's a cracker.
Atmosphere builds in Boltonpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
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Watch the Challenge Cup on BBC Sportpublished at 13:58 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
BBC One
We've got live television, radio and text coverage of today's two Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Select your coverage option from the list at the top of this page.
My goodness it's wet in Boltonpublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
This is unlikely to be a day for free-flowing rugby. Greasy pitch, greasy ball, wet weather.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jamie Peacock and Jon Wilkin have just been chatting about that in the BBC Sport studio. They all see it as a big plus for Hull FC because of Marc Sneyd's kicking game.
The Black and Whites have won their past five Challenge Cup semi-finals. Warrington are going to have to break a real run of history then.
Ratchford fit but Charnley notpublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
Image source, Reuters
Talking of talismen, Warrington full-back Stefan Ratchford also returns - he's been out for more than two months because of a shoulder injury.
However that good news is certainly tempered by the absence of Josh Charnley, who has been ruled out by a knee injury. It's just the 15 tries in 25 games for him this season, not much a gap that needs to be plugged by his team-mates...
But not only does Ratchford bring his considerable kicking game to the party, the Wire stalwart is a massive lead for Steve Price's side.
Basically, he's not a bad replacement for a key player is he?
Kelly back for Black and Whitespublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
Image source, SWPIX.COM
What sticks out in that Hull FC team is that Albert Kelly is back at stand-off.
The elusive half-back has often provided the difference in big games for the Black and Whites, usually combining in that reliable axis that sees him link with Marc Sneyd and Danny Houghton.
To have all three fit and firing is a big boost for Lee Radford and his team, especially with the loss of Sika Manu to injury. He's replaced by Jordan Lane.
Team newspublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
Warrington: Ratchford; Lineham, Goodwin, King, Mamo; Austin, Patton; Hill, D Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, J Clark.
Interchanges: Philbin, Murdoch-Masila, Davis, Tasi.
Hull FC: Shaul; Faraimo, Griffin, Tuimavave, Naulago; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Paea, Lane, Minichiello, Westerman.
Interchanges: Ellis, Bowden, Fash, Connor.
Referee: Robert Hicks
Perennial finalistspublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Warrington v Hull FC (14:00 BST)
Image source, SWPIX.COM
It really wouldn't be a Challenge Cup final without Warrington and/or Hull FC there.
With one of them guaranteed to be at Wembley yet again, it means nine of the 12 finals since 2008 will have had the Wire, Black and Whites or both involved.
Who's going to book their spot for 2019? Let's get cracking and find out.
I'm really just jabbering on here aren't I, not saying a whole lot.
Welcome!published at 13:23 British Summer Time 27 July 2019
Hello and welcome to parts two and three of today's rugby league triple-header in Bolton.
I'll be kicking off our live text coverage of the two Challenge Cup semi-finals at 13:45 BST approximately, but in the meantime you can watch the highlights of this morning's Women's Challenge Cup final between Castleford and Leeds by clicking on the play icon.