Warrington crush Huddersfield to set up Wigan Wembley date

Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final

Huddersfield (4) 10

Tries: Swift, Naiqama Goal: Connor

Sin-bin: Connor (68)

Warrington (22) 46

Tries: Drinkwater, Ashton, Walker, Williams, Dufty (2), Powell, Tai Goals: Thewlis (7)

Warrington brushed aside Huddersfield with a scintillating first half to set up a Challenge Cup final against Wigan.

The in-form Wolves had too much pace and power for the lacklustre Giants to book their first Wembley date since they lifted the trophy in 2019.

The hosts were never in the running against a side that has now won six of their last seven matches in all competitions and racked up a fourth successive win over the Giants.

Tries from Josh Drinkwater, Matty Ashton, Danny Walker and George Williams had the game effectively won by half-time and Wire piled it on in the second half as Matt Dufty (two), Sam Powell and Rodrick Tai added further scores.

• Relive the action and reaction as it happened

Warrington were quick off the mark at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with Ashton taking centre stage, against a side that had produced the performance of the quarter-finals by thrashing Catalans in Perpignan.

The wing's pacy break scattered the defence and some delightful handling sent Drinkwater in under the posts, before Ashton finished himself after a splendid Dufty break.

Frustrated

Giants contributed to their own downfall as slack work in front of their own posts allowed Walker to wriggle over from acting half, and Wolves were 18 points up in as many minutes.

That roused Huddersfield from their slumber and a Seb Ikahihifo break set up a sharp move that was finished in the corner by Adam Swift.

Williams fended off Adam Clune on a breakaway to add another try, and with leading try-scorer Swift limping off at half time, Giants looked spent.

Dufty piled on the pain with two quick tries, and frustrated Huddersfield full-back Jake Connor responded with a shove on Matt Thewlis that sent the Warrington winger over the advertising hoardings to spark a melee.

Kevin Naiqama went over for a consolation try but when Connor had another unnecessary pop at Thewlis at the play-the-ball, he was sin-binned.

Leroy Cudjoe was denied a try by a foot in touch, but Powell and Tai added further finishing flourishes to set up what promises to be a mouth-watering final against Wigan.

Post-match reaction

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson told BBC Radio Leeds:

“We had a plan but it just didn’t materialise at the start of the game with the breakaway try, and for them to be able to back it up with a 12-0 lead in a semi-final, when it’s as warm as it is, is pretty tough.

“They completed 18 out of 19 (sets) in the first half which tells you you are doing a hell of a lot of defending and can’t put the pressure back on them. Every time we seemed to get a set we made a bit of an error or had some ill discipline.

“We’re hurting on the back of that. Once you lose that momentum it’s very hard to turn it around.”

[On Swift injury]: “It’s his groin. We thought he was fine, the medical team gave him the all-clear and he felt pretty good himself so the fact he’s not got through the game is a bit of a worry for us.”

Warrington head coach Sam Burgess told BBC Sport:

"It's not about me, honestly. I coach the guys and they play. I'm just really proud of them because there has been a big change with what we are doing.

"There is good energy in the stadium, the fans will have enjoyed the day and enjoyed the ride.

"I'm really proud of the team, it was a big effort. It wasn't a walkover as we scored a few long-range tries in the first half."

Huddersfield: Connor, Swift, Marsters, Naiqama, Wallis, Lolohea, Clune, Wilson, Milner, English, Muchie, Cudjoe, Yates.

Interchanges: Golding, Ikahihifo, Rushton, Salabio

Warrington: Dufty, Thewlis, King, Tai, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Harrison, Walker, Vaughan, Nicholson, Fitzgibbon, Currie

Interchanges: Philbin, Musgrove, Crowther, Powell

Referee: Liam Moore.