Summary

  • Salford beat holder Wolves to reach first Challenge Cup final for 51 years

  • Late Lussick try sealed victory for the Red Devils

  • Salford to face Leeds in first behind-closed-doors Challenge Cup final at Wembley on 17 October

  • Leeds eased past Wigan 26-12 to book final spot

  • Handley grabbed two of Leeds' four tries

  1. Follow the action across the BBCpublished at 17:01 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    A reminder that you can watch all the action from today's second Challenge Cup semi-final by clicking the play button above.

    Matt Newsum is taking you through it on BBC Two. I can only imagine he's very, very cold, but knowing Newsum, it wouldn't surprise me if he's wearing shorts..

    Anyway, here come the players!

  2. Team newspublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Warrington name a side with a fleet of changes from their narrow midweek defeat against Salford.

    Warrington: Mamo, Ashton, Charnley, Gelling, King, Ratchford, Widdop, Hill, D Clark, Cooper, Currie, Austin, Hughes.

    Interchanges: Philbin, J Clark, Murdoch-Masila, Walker.

  3. Team newspublished at 16:56 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Here's how Salford line up to take on Warrington and once again it's a much-changed side having played each other in midweek.

    Just Rhys Williams, Lee Mossop, Krisnan Inu and Tyrone McCarthy remain in the side.

    Salford: Sarginson, Williams, Watkins, Welham, Inu, Lolohea, Brown, Mossop, Lussick, Dudson, McCarthy, Greenwood, Flanagan.

    Interchanges: Burke, Ikahihifo, Kear, Pauli.

  4. 'Two sides on opposite sides of spectrum'published at 16:55 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington

    Check out what Jon Wilkin had to say about the match-up in the second semi-final...

    A reminder that you can watch the day's second semi-final right here, on BBC Two or on BBC iPlayer.

    And of course you also have a selection of BBC local radio commentaries online and on the local airwaves.

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  5. Cup semis will set-up 'iconic' Wembley finalpublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    There won't be any fans in attendance in what are desperately trying times for rugby league in Britain, so why is one of the game's most respected voices saying the 2020 Challenge Cup final will be one of the most iconic in the competition's long history?

    BBC rugby league correspondent Dave Woods spoke to former winner Jamie Jones-Buchanan about what makes this instalment of the famous old tournament extra special.

    Read all about it here.

  6. Will the Cup Kings move toward more success?published at 16:47 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Daryl Clark (centre) celebrates his try, which helped him secure the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the matchImage source, Rex Features

    While Salford are club started of success, Warrington Wolves have been Challenge Cup specialists over the past decade.

    The Wire have won the cup four times and lost two since Tony Smith guided them to a first Wembley trip since 1990 in 2009.

  7. Can Salford end 51-year wait?published at 16:43 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salfrod v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Salford against Castleford in the 1969 Challenge Cup finalImage source, Getty Images

    Salford's last appearance in a Challenge Cup final came a year before the BBC first broadcast the showpiece in colour!

    On that occasion, more than half a century ago, they were beaten by the original 'Classy Cas' in 1969.

    You have to go back to a pre-war Gus Risman-led triumph in 1938 for their only cup win, while semi-final losses in 1998 and 2017 are painful memories for the modern era support.

  8. How they got here - Warringtonpublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Warrington 20-18 St Helens

    In a repeat of last year's final, we were treated to one of the matches of the season when St Helens took on Warrington in this year's Challenge Cup quarter-final.

    The Wire edged out Kristian Woolf's Saints side to repeat their cup heroics from last year and set up their semi-final tie against Salford today.

    You can relieve that quarter-final classic by clicking the play button above.

  9. Postpublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    Salford v Warrington (17:00 BST)

    Let's turn our attention to today's second tie, now.

    Last year's Super League Grand Finallists Salford Red Devils take on reigning Challenge Cup holders Warrington Wolves.

  10. 'The full 17 dug in and carried out the plan'published at 16:28 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    FT: Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    Leeds Rhinos wing Ash Handley told BBC Sport:

    "The boys dug deep and stuck to the gameplan and now we can't wait for the final.

    "The full 17, everyone dug in. We carried out the plan with perfection.

    "You've got to play the conditions sometimes. Covid has pushed us back and a few more weeks and we're in the final."

    Media caption,

    Ash Handley extends Leeds' advantage over Wigan

  11. 'We didn't play well enough'published at 16:25 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    FT: Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    Wigan Warriors half-back Jackson Hastings told BBC Sport:

    "We thought we had a chance to etch our own names into the history of this club that's done it so many times, but we just didn't play well enough.

    "We were camped on our line in the first half. The most disappointing part is that is what we usually do to teams."

  12. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcrlpublished at 16:25 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    FT: Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    Wainey: Wow what a performance. Tactically brilliant and dominant. Wembley here we come.

    Griff: Credit to Leeds. Played to beat their opponents whereas Wigan played to beat the weather.

    Elizabeth: Really proud of this Leeds team today.

    Mike: A Gale masterclass, but so much more from Leeds. Tactically superb, a faultless appetite to defend, and textbook wet weather, play-off football. Challenge Cup final it is then.

  13. 'We matched them and more'published at 16:22 British Summer Time 3 October 2020

    FT: Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    Leeds Rhinos half-back Luke Gale told BBC Sport:

    "It was probably the wettest game I've ever been involved in. It was tough conditions against a tough Wigan side.

    "I think we ground it out and played the conditions well.

    "The forwards were outstanding. Wigan's pack is phenomenal and we matched them and more.

    "I went on trips as a boy to Wembley no matter what team and now I'm going now."

  14. LEEDS THROUGH TO THE CHALLENGE CUP FINALpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 3 October 2020
    Breaking

    Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    All over and Leeds are deservedly through to the Challenge Cup final.

    Wigan left their comeback far too late and were thoroughly outplayed over the course of 80 minutes.

    Leeds boss Richard Agar will be pleased with his side's performance. His counterpart Adrian Lam less so.

    Leeds's Luke Gale (right) celebrates Tom Briscoe's try against Wigan with Richie MylerImage source, Rex Features
  15. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Leeds 26-12 Wigan

    Here's something to bear in mind. We've still got another game to go on this pitch after this.

    I wonder how Salford and Warrington will feel seeing how the surface has reacted in this game and how they can play the conditions themselves.

    When Zak Hardaker touched down, the in-goal area to the right splashed like a slip and slide..

  16. try

    TRY: Leeds 26-12 Wiganpublished at 78 mins

    Zak Hardaker, goal Zak Hardaker

    Media caption,

    Hardaker runs in late consolation for Wigan

    Where's this come from?!

    Zak Hardaker runs in with ease just a few minutes after Harry Smith's try and Wigan are into double figures.

    Obviously this has come way too late but that's a classy pair of tries from them in the course of just a few minutes.

  17. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Leeds 26-6 Wigan

    I mean, one positive for Wigan here is at that at least they've not been nilled, as they were in the derby against St Helens in midweek.

    That being said, they've conceded 68 points over the course of those two matches and look wildly off the pace.

  18. try

    TRY: Leeds 26-6 Wiganpublished at 75 mins

    Harry Smith, goal Zak Hardaker

    Wigan are finally on the board and in some style, to be completely honest.

    Harry Smith intercepts and runs in almost the length of the field. A consolation but a pretty decent one if nothing else.

    Zak Hardaker adds the two.

  19. PENALTY: Leeds 26-0 Wiganpublished at 73 mins

    Rhyse Martin

    This is as complete a performance as you could possibly want to see from your side if you're a Leeds fan, including an assured display from Ava Seumanufagai.

    Against a pretty much fully rested Wigan side, they have got everything right today.

    Rhyse Martin goes on to kick a further two points to send them completely out of sight.

    Leeds Rhinos' a Seumanufagai (centre) is tackled by Wigan Warriors' Jackson HastingsImage source, PA Media
  20. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Leeds 24-0 Wigan

    Jonathan Davies
    Former GB international on BBC One

    "That's it, game over.

    "This performance has been totally dominant."