Quarter-Final: Warrington v Widnes Rugby League: Challenge Cup

Are it is metres, not miles that separate Widnes from Warrington.

They are close but not that close. A little bit of afters. Warrington

have claimed the Challenge Cup eight times. That is a special achievement

by this Warrington side. Widnes, seven. It is a try! Yes! Once, they

were worlds apart. Widnes, truly the champions of the world in rugby. But

going from one to the other, sometimes life is just come

protected. Tonight, they are together again with the Challenge

Cup semifinals insight. STUDIO: That is the voice of Jonathan Davies who

enjoyed successful stints at both clubs, just seven miles between the

grounds of Warrington and Widnes and it is a proper rivalry. The fans

have turned up in their thousands to night to see the latest instalment

ASBOs teams battle it out for a place in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup

semifinals. Three men with 20 Challenge Cup history with me this

evening. Jamie Peacock, Brian Noble and Brian Wilkin. -- the fact this

is a derby makes it very special to night. It is one of the key

ingredients, it will be a classic. Both sides have not had a great form

in the last few weeks. What would you be saying as a coach before a

derby game? It is about your performance really. Create a

distraction by not focusing on the fact it is a derby, it is just

another game. The atmosphere will be more intense and communication has

to be better. Clarity of form is required to get you over the line,

it is huge. All the things in your control, you need to be in control.

But players in general are sat in the changing room and the coach

says, this is just another game and you would be thinking, no it isn't.

Yes, in brutal terms, you would. It is a big game for both sides.

Magnified by the fact it is a knockout game. Both clubs probably

on paper are quite close. Ten points between them in the Super League

table. Warrington have been in form this year, Widnes has so much to

give. I feel they are ready to produce this performance. You

mention the table and we can see it. Both sides got off to a blistering

start. Have they dropped off a little bit different reasons? I

would say Widnes dropped through injury. It made them realise, these

things are played this year, they will be around there. Looking at the

team tonight, they will have more. I think Warrington have a lot of big

game players. Widnes are pretty much back to full strength and some of us

were thinking they are going to finish in the top six. People like

Houston coming back into the side. It is a real battle to night.

Widnes's expectation has gone from maybe in the basement are now

expecting to get to major games, big games like to night and get to

finals. Credit to Denis Betts. The players he has got and their

expectation levels are beyond what it had been in the last ten years.

Warrington, big game players, they are missing a big game player

tonight in Ashton Sims who is out for two matches. He was banned after

this high tackle against Catalan. You cannot argue with that? He

didn't miss. They went to try to argue the case, I think trying to do

that is normally like an 11-year-old argument, you are always going to

lose. Trying is the word. What you have to try to do is find a reason

for that and I am thinking, he smacked him round the head. Everyone

goes into the disciplinary thinking they are right and coming out

disappointed. I think it was the right decision. Ashton Sims is part

of our team tomorrow so it will be interesting if they say the same

things to his face as they have this evening! Jamie Peacock was

criticising his dress sense but I think it is fabulous! You are

looking very smart this evening. Let's talk to Jonathan Davies who we

heard at the start of the programme. He has played for Warrington and

Widnes and is part of our commentary team this evening. Explain what this

rivalry means because you have seen it from both sides. I was in shock,

I didn't expect to get transferred from Widnes. I didn't want to go.

The chairman said, you are going. I had been practising the goal-kicking

after training for yours and yours. I went back there for the first time

with Warrington. The ball boy spat on me! That sums it up in a

nutshell. They are very close, very passionate. Widnes were in the

ascendancy when I was there. Now, Warrington have taken over their

mantle. But I think Widnes deserve to be in this position, playing in

these games. Widnes were dominant when you were there and we will hear

from Kevin Brown and a little later on. People have said, maybe Widnes

are rebuilding and getting back, not to what they were but certainly

capable of challenging, would you agree? They were the kings of the

70s and it was a big challenge first to get to Wembley and unfortunately

we didn't win but we did get there. Then they dropped out of the Super

League and now they are back and they are capable of performing with

the best. They have got their finances sorted out, they have

quality players. I think tonight Warrington are heavy favourites with

home advantage but looking at the Widnes side, they are capable. I am

delighted and proud I have played for both of these sides and I am

looking forward to a fantastic game of rugby and they are well

supported. Delighted to have played for both, would it be unfair to ask

who you want to win? I just want Wales to go to the final of the

European Championships and I would be happy, that is my sporting

prediction for this weekend. I thought you were close to saying, I

want rugby to be the winner! Jonathan, thank you very much. Heart

of our common treaty with John Kear and Dave Ward 's. The Challenge Cup

got underway last night. Paul Anderson and his team took on

Wakefield. This is what happened. COMMENTATOR: straightened up by

Anthony England, almost in touch of that Huddersfield line. A short

twist and turn and Wakefield scores. What a start by Wakefield. Mawson

spins it to Finn who lays it back. That ball has been dropped and this

is a chance. Huddersfield are up and running, has he got it down? I'm not

sure he has. As Greeks put it down? Not yet. Brunt with a dummy. He goes

for the corner. Johnson does really well.

They will claim the drive in the corner. -- the try. I think this is

going to be a try even from distance because Johnson is quick. Michael

Lawrence is chasing him. He picks up after right down the middle. -- he

picks a path. This time he is not going to be stopped, he will not be

denied a second try of the night. Crabtree comes running in on it

double run. Ellis puts it back. The response is instant from

Huddersfield. Wood again, to the right-hand side and Cudjo pops one

over the top. McGillvary will score this time.

That game put into context with the funeral of the Huddersfield Giants

academy player, he died from his injuries suffered during a match

with Salford. He was just 17 years old. It is a desperately sad story

and very difficult to put into words the feeling of the sport. It is

desperately sad. It is a very tragic event. The heart and minds of all

the rugby league community are with the Costello family and I think they

have carried themselves with dignity during this time. They handled the

whole situation impeccably well. Just echoing what Jamie said, I

really sad time for the sport. Rugby is a dangerous sport, a contact

sport. People going into it understand the risks. But this stops

everything, it is a perspective moment in the sport. Games like this

are important, let's not forget, but the lives and safety of the people

who play and support the game is paramount. It is.

... Now on course for their first final since 1979.

Wigan will play cattle for tomorrow on the BBC. -- Castleford Tigers.

Like most rivalries, you don't know how it feels or what it is all about

until you are thrown into it. I have had a few major derbies in my

playing time but to be involved in a Warrington- Widnes game has been

sensational. People don't realise how much rivalry runs between needs

teams and how close they are. We have had some good times here, some

really good victories, both here and at our home ground. Today will be a

fantastic day, the quarterfinal of the champions a massive game. Our

form in the last couple of weeks has been a bit down so it is the sort of

game I think and bring the best out in this again. The fact it is a

derby match and we have played each other a few times already, I think

really makes it a really special occasion. Expecting a big crowd and

Greg rivalry, really good atmosphere between both clubs. It is made for a

good game. We are losing games but not by big margins. Points for and

against really good in the league. That brings us here in a good state.

We know we can defend our line and score tries. We just have to pull

that together today. The beauty of being involved in a cup game, is

there is no second chance. Brian, take through Denis Betts's team.

The Widnes back three of the overseas trio of Corey Thompson, you

can break and Patrick Ah Van. -- Luke Hanbury.

Christine, a local product. -- Chris Dean.

I wouldn't have thought Buchanan was the name that would cause you the

problem but anyhow! Let's look at Kevin Brown in a little more detail.

He has been in good form the last week and he was invited to a squad

get-together by the new England coach, Steve Bennett, six years

after he played at international level.

How are you? Come on in. I really tried to work on my consistency for

while. I have a real good coach and good players I am playing with. Six

years since I last played for England so hopefully I can play

again and make a better go of it this time. Just to be involved and

be in a room when Wayne Bennett is speaking to you was unbelievable. I

have played a long time and come across a lot of coaches but never

known a man to command a room like he did. I was like a sponge, just

sat there listening, it was like being a little kid again and having

that first time, when I pulled the Wigan jersey on. I was full of

energy and it was fun. It is strange because I was playing for England in

2010 and I was nowhere near the player I am now and hopefully I can

do that shirt on again and I feel confident now I can have a really

good crack at it. This is my dog, 14 months old. She

is our family pet. Sit, sit down! She is obedient as well!

I think man management wise, there is nobody better than Denis Betts.

He has definitely brought the debtor out of me as a player. Away from the

player, did we are good friends. -- he has definitely brought the best

out in me. He gets me to work hard and I wouldn't want it any other

way. I came to Widnes and everything they have said, it has happened and

it has probably surpassed my expectations. You can't force, we

can compete every time and hopefully we can take that next to a final and

really have a crack at winning something as well. I didn't realise

how big this derby was until I came to Widnes. It is unbelievable, the

fans hate each other. There is a really good rivalry, it will be

passionate and brutal. Jamie, it feels like it has been a long time

coming. Every time we have been doing a red button forum, people are

all was asking why he isn't in the England squad. This is a clean slate

for him now. He has had to improve. He says he is a better player than

he was six years ago and I believe him. He is cool, calm and confident

as a leader. Will a lot of players think like him and go into a room

with Wayne Bennett and want to soak up what he says? Wayne Bennett does

have an aura and he commands that kind of respect. It is only natural

player will feel that way in a new environment. It opens the doors and

everything else has gone. Kevin Brown has every chance of playing

for England. Let's take a look at some of the others in the

half-backs. Look at this battle between Joe Mellor and Chris. Two

instinctive runners of the ball. Instinctive ball-carrier and he

scores points and complemented well by Kevin Brown who creates space. He

pushes in support, not many half-backs in Super League

competitions to do this. There is a real quality of Mellor and Sandow.

He will have a crack at the line. Any opportunity, any chink of

lightning, and they are a threat, they can run and they are very good

at it. Sandow is a little more direct than Mellor. Both are more

threatening when they have a controlled ballplayer around them.

These two guys have perfect support and with Kevin Brown, going back to

him being picked for England, he has Hanbury and Mellor around him,

really good players to complemented. I would agree with that.

Gidley and Brown are the stability. It is balance, in sports teams, it

is about balance and Widnes and Warrington have great balance in

their halves. Let's look at how they are going to play this evening. I am

almost part of the witness team as we speak. Widnes have been a team

that has risen at the beginning of the season and then they dipped and

they had just come into form. To do well to night, all 17 players will

need to step up to the mark. They will be led by this man, Kevin

Brown, everything revolves around him. He sets up the play very well,

here's a magician, orchestrating everything. When he carries the ball

at the line, you have to deal with him. He is not small. A great run of

the ball and good decision-makers. He is complemented by this man, Joe

Mellor. Just catching the ball as we speak. He is a fast runner and can

protect the line. Lightning footwork, can take the line on when

he has the opportunity. Great outside backs, Rhys Hanbury and this

man also, Chris Bridge, 10-year 's at this ground. What is it like

being back? It is good, good atmosphere on a Friday night, always

electric. This opportunity for Widnes to get one? It is. We give

ourselves a good chance. Sounds to me like Robbie is involved in the

warm up, he was panting so much! Take through the Warrington team,

Brian. Thank you very much, Brian. Robbie

has actually run from this end to the field, all the way to the other

end of the stadium and now in between castes of breath, he will

tell you how Warrington are going to play! I have been moving quite a bit

and I am a bit out of breath! They say the forwards determine the

outcome of the game and if we look at Warrington's forward starting

pack, Westwood, Clark, Hill, all international players in their own

right. Let's have a look at their half. It Gidley, the first one we

will focus on. The guy is a master technician. He likes to push players

around the park, he takes his time, he is like a chess player. He makes

sure is all the Warrington players know their job and get into position

at the right time. He is complemented by this fella, not the

biggest bloke in the world but he is talented and strong and he plays

instinctive rugby league. I will see if I can have a quick word. How are

you looking forward to tonight's game? I am excited, we trained

really hard all week and it is good coming to play here. You are

confident you can win tonight? We are really confident. Widnes have

got a good team but we will try to get the ball as much as we can. Best

of luck. Thank you. We have spoken a lot about three of the half-backs

tonight so let's focus on Kurt Gidley, the fourth member of that.

Robbie pointed him out. A stellar career for the Newcastle nights and

now he has made Warrington his second professional club.

I had a great career at Newcastle, it was great for me to play from my

hometown and play in front of my family. I always wanted to come to

the Super League and I always watched it as a kid. I watched kids

go from Australia and I always wanted to challenge myself. I am

glad I have taken up that challenge. Plenty of English asked me if there

is a big difference between this and the NRL and I found Super League is

a real challenge. It is so even back home and every minute of every game

is a real battle. Over here, I guess, there are more clubs with

more money and they can get more high-profile players. It is still

quite a lot as even as the NRL, and you have to be up for every game,

that is for sure. I have my life and two young girls, and we have really

been enjoying ourselves since we got here in November. A big difference

from Australia having a winter Christmas. The football is part of

the culture I want to get into. I have been to four or five games

since I have been over here. Great for me to see some of the

world-class players. I heard a fair bit about the rivalry the first time

I played Widnes. That was at that stage, a top of the table clash at

our home ground and it was a sell-out crowd. A rough time over

the past couple of months, but a lot of things earlier in the year,

attacking wise, building pressure and defending really well. My

brother came and played at St Helens the four years and I learned a bit

more about the Challenge Cup and the history behind it and obviously, he

played at Wembley and it is one of the most well-known stadiums in the

world I think. Everyone wants to play it. The more I hear about the

Challenge Cup, the more I get excited about it and want to be

there at the end. Brian Noble, Denis Betts called him the purchase of the

season, would you go along with that? It looks like that. Kurt

Gidley coming back into their team is the element of organisation, an

element of real competitor they have not had for a while. They have

brought that direction back to allow people like Chris Sandow in. They

play what they see, Warrington. They have got pure skills and and to what

they do and Kurt Gidley has added that element of runner to their

team. Briels is a man that Warrington has missed. I think you

are right in terms of running out of dummy half, he is as good as there

is. He played for Australia and New South Wales. I agree with Jamie but

one thing we need to talk about is Warrington, their great punch in the

field. It drizzled a few minutes ago here, the ground is wet. Apache

running game with a great kicking game, that is what they need to do

tonight. Kicking the ball into corners and managing the game. I

think Warrington will be too strong in the middle of the field. They

need Clark to run but also Sandow and off the back of that, Gidley

kicks to corners. Warrington are an athletic team who need to suppress

the attack of Widnes. That is the challenge for Widnes, no doubt,

disabling Warrington. If they can manage that, we are talking about

the prowess of Gidley and his kicking game, Kevin Brown, if he can

get on the front foot and kick the ball for Widnes and they can find

their structure, all of the Widnes players have to play well. We have

talked about Brown and we will talk about Nell and about Mellor and

Hanbury. They have to run hard, tackle hard, chaste kicks. At

Widnes, there are loads of guys with great attitude. Guys like Hep Cahill

in the team. He gets off his line, tackles, controls ruck. A lot of

hard work to allow Kevin Brown space. Rhys Hanbury and Kevin Brown

tags together, watch for them today. Rhys Hanbury, Lloyd White and the

two cars of Widnes are absolutely pivotal for them to get on the score

board. Foot soldiers, getting them into the right part of the field and

that will help them score points. Just on the weather, you are broken

both teams down brilliantly, but how much will the weather play a part?

Switching between being dry and then a downpour for 15 minutes or so. For

the players, that cannot be great. When it is like and I played at

Wembley with showers, you want the ball when it is dry. Your period of

momentum is in those 10-15 minutes when it is dry and you can apply

maximum pressure. It dampens what they can do with the ball. The first

20-25 minutes, the ball will be wet and slippery and potential for that

ball to pop out of the ruck. The team that controls the ball best in

25 minutes will be in a great position come half-time. Thank you

very much to the three of you, the teams are on their way out of this

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup quarterfinal. It is a huge derby,

Warrington against Widnes. Being led out by a ram, because tomorrow is

Armed Forces day and that ram is the mascot of the Mercian Regiment. A

nice touch. As the ram comes out onto the pitch. We will join our

commentary team this afternoon, the man played for both clubs, Jonathan

Davies, a man who will give us a managerial perspective in John Kear

and Dave Woods. COMMENTATOR: Plenty at stake here,

the Challenge Cup semifinal, a potential Wembley day here, and

above that, local pride. Two towns, seven miles apart, divided by

contrasting passions. It should be a good game here. Widnes, the table

tells you and recent results tell you that they have lost a bit of

form. They set off like a house on fire this year. A lot of people were

saying, are they the Leicester City at rugby league? But they have faded

away, looking to hold onto a top eight spot but they have not lost by

many in the games they have lost. Great noise. These are the teams.

Warrington with a few potential game breakers across the back line.

Sandow is particular sleek -- particularly eye-catching. A pack

that carries a few tricks. As byes two are concerned, this season they

have shown how good they can be when they are at their best -- Widnes.

Chris Houston's return after a month off with the mumps will be a big

boost in the second row. Denis Betts, the Widnes coach, packing

plenty of Challenge Cup experience, seven times a Challenge Cup winner

with Wigan. This is the referee for the night, James Child. Rhys Hanbury

and Widnes getting things underway, Warrington are eight times Challenge

Cup winners. Widnes have won seven Challenge Cups but you have to be

old enough to remember Jonathan Davies playing to recall the last

Wembley success back in 1984. Westwood is the man who leads the

drive, right at the start here, for the Warrington Wolves. Let's hear

these opinions as the game gets under way from Jonathan Davies and

John Key are. Important but both teams look after

the ball, as the guys said in the build-up, there have been showers

prior to this, the surface was greasy. Which team buys territory

with a good kicking game? I agree, the kicking game will be crucial,

the ball will be slippery. You have to keep possession, as the boys said

in the studio. If Widnes have defence, they can hang on and they

are confident of scoring ability and creativity. They had to hang on in

there. Sandow with a kick, a test in these conditions. It is a very

greasy surface here tonight. We had a strange meteorological phenomenon

before the game kicked off, Jonathan Davies noticed, it was raining in

one half but sunny in the other. He was amazed, it does not seem like

sunshine to you. Thank you, Michael Feis! Widnes move towards the

halfway line. Their new signing, Jack Buchanan has arrived from the

Tigers just over a month ago -- Michael Fish. Only his fifth

appearance since his arrival. Looking for the touchline and

finding it. Both teams will be pretty happy with the start, they've

looked after the ball, their kicks have been adequate, testing the

Warrington kick from Sandow to Hambro. Let's watch the scrum --

Rhys Hanbury. It is a very fierce local derby and what are you going

to do? Firstly, it is cleaner than when we played, you have to control

your emotions. Discipline is crucial in the game today, anyone who spends

ten minutes in the bin gives the opposition a huge advantage, you had

to keep control of your emotions. Atkins at the 40 metre mark. Picked

up by young gun Ben Currie, catching VI last year and certainly. --

catching VI. Widnes are pushed back a yard or two, the Warrington coach

Tony Smith looking on. Westwood was tackled in the

aftermath of the event by Leuluai, trying to stop Gidley. Gidley kicks

downfield. Evans advances, Widnes start from

there. Widnes put intense pressure on Gidley, putting him on the deck

the first time. He just got off his feet, and it was an easy take for

the opposition. And Pat Arbon. The circumstances tonight are that win

or lose for Warrington here, you would expect them to figure in the

late stages in the search for silverware and the play-offs -- pat

Ah Van. This is it for Widnes, realistically. This is their season?

Yes, a big achievement in the top eight, a poor kick from Brown. A lot

of hype around the guy, an outstanding half-backs. But that was

shoddy. A kick from the outside of the boot, it will be a turnover

would Warrington 35 metres away. The first real opportunity. And the

first mistake, he sliced it off of his beard. He was looking for a

40-20 kick. -- of his boot. Now pressure on Widnes. A chance here!

He gets over the line. Jack Hughes. An indirect consequence of a sliced

kick to touch. Warrington have an opening score. In the very early

stages of the game. As we said, feet or position, you would not expect

Warrington to score that easily. It was a kick to touch. But a strong

and big run from Jack Hughes committee would be surprised that he

broke through the two tackles. This is the kick and Brown rose efforts

on the full gave the turnover to the Wolves. A drop-off ball from Gidley.

A good play on these greasy conditions, it tests the players

being able to stop and making the tackle. Obviously they could not,

Jack Hughes came straight through the other side. Hep Cahill, normally

a good defender, rounding handbrake for a good try. He went across to

early, I think. He lost his third -- Hanbury. He over read the play, a

missed tackle. A good start for Warrington, Widnes will be

disappointed with their defence. Fury from Kevin Brown. Widnes under

early pressure. Warrington with an early ascendancy. Kurt Gidley is the

man who will attempt a kick for goal from here. Such a professional

influence on this side, hasn't he? Not necessarily the most flashy of

players but in terms of what he gives the side, he has such

pedigree. This cake looks successful, and is. Warrington leads

6-0. -- kick. He is solid and a great professional. He has done hard

yards in Newcastle. Just watch, he over reads the play, Hep Cahill, and

this is a run-through. Going back to Gidley, he is a great organiser and

complement Sandow. Westwood, eager to lead the charge on both kick-offs

in the game so far. Hill is never far behind when it comes to fronting

up in the early stages of a set, Clark looks around, a man of steel a

couple of years ago. Widnes had the tackle, Warrington

are up to the 30 metre mark. Benny Westwood wears number 13 on

his back tonight but normally is a prop forward in terms of selection,

the kick is taken safely enough by handbrake but the Chase will make

sure that he goes no further than that, perhaps a couple of strides

back again? -- Hanbury. The Wolves have started well, some indications

that the team has come prepared to pay. That is the kick chase which

has been exceptional, but they will be disappointed with that aspect of

their discipline, and unnecessary penalty, piggybacked to the Vikings

up the field. They start in midfield. Let's see what their

attack has two offer. Six to go from here. Here comes Buchanan. Called

held, the referee decides there was a second effort in here after he

screamed. A penalty for Widnes. From being way deep inside of their own

half, no. A great attacking position. Not as noted pen -- not as

many penalties for that these days, the referee allows the game to carry

on. White, 15 yards away from here, Widnes. Set fair for the first time

in this game so far. Hanbury, too Greg Hands, almost the

chance for Russell to escape. Warrington get a parity. A

significant difference, I think, in the play of the ball. -- penalty.

Far quicker play of the ball, Widnes are much slower. The line speed of

Warrington is faster because the ball is played slower. The timing of

the play was not the best, was it Jonathan? The run was too early, the

pass from Widnes, it looked shoddy at that point. If he is overrunning,

you have two stick and make the decision as a ball-carrier. You have

two build pressure in the Warrington 20. A couple of tackles gone, let's

remind you that Wakefield is already in the semifinals for the first time

since John Kear took them into a thousand eight. Hull against Catalan

and Wigan against Castleford on air at 5:15pm tomorrow for that Wigan

and Castleford game -- in 2008. Clark with a pass.

It has been an incredible story for Wakefield. A great turn around and

it could be a great conclusion for the season. A decent kick as well.

An awkward bounce. Hanbury comes up with possession in the end. The

Warrington kicks, they are asking questions, putting pressure on the

catches of the Vikings but once again, a pretty cheap penalty. It

has been littered with penalties. A shoulder charge. It was a great

kick, nobody claims that. A penalty. Shoulder charge, Sandow. Attack by

Bridge, a hero here not long ago, before he switched to Widnes.

Hanbury, a twist and a turn but not finding any purchase at the moment.

Making decent progress here, Widnes, inside of the Warrington half by a

distance. Leuluai tries to straighten up. Still a couple of

tackles to go in this set. Hannah Brie looks to chime in but the

Warrington defence is organised -- Hanbury. Here comes the last. It is

not, I think that the referee will give Widnes another penalty. Hanbury

and Atkins, having a little tete-a-tete. Apologies if you picked

up any language there. Atkins, I don't think there is anything wrong

with that tackle. There we go, that is the reason. An arm around the

neck from Atkins. It provoked matters. That is the reason the

referee will give a penalty to Widnes. A better pressure on neck

there. -- a bit of pressure. Resembling a crusher tackle,

slightly. This could well go on report. REFEREE: You had to deal

with the situation, the penalty goes to Widnes. You both contributed to

that. There is the explanation. WHISTLE

I'm not quite sure that Atkins is convinced that he was dealt with

fairly but there we go... A chance now for Jack Buchanan to lay a

platform for Widnes. Miller looks for a short ball which

almost has Chris Dean putting a hole in the Warrington defence but down

he goes. They are very close here! -- Mela. Close but not close enough.

They still have tackles in the bag. Brown goes against the grain of the

defence. But not finding it will stop two tackles to go. Mellor.

Evans came out really quickly. Reading the play well. Mellor tries

to inject it back again. Dean goes in. Catching it on the fall. That

was well defended by Warrington. Two fantastic pieces of defence. Rhys

Evans read the play and got it down before and Kevin Penny claimed the

high kick in the opening goal. The Warrington Wolves are ratcheting up

the play. A great tackle! Lost in the collision, Widnes habit back. A

great tackle, good play of the ball -- Widnes have it back.

That was great, they came in with a good shoulder hit under the ball,

jabbing it free. The reward for tremendous defence was an error.

Brown with an inside ball for Buchanan. Down at the knees by the

Warrington defence. Imposing a few problems, they are being asked

questions. Cahill was the latest to be stopped.

They are being stifled at the moment.

Pass, chipped on by Mellor, knocked on and Warrington have it again. And

not enough questions asked in the right way. I thought Brown could

have shown and gone, they ignored him. I think the gap opened up for

him. I agree, he was on the inside, wasn't he? They need to look to the

outside, prop it on his third and go against the grain. He is a great

tactician and rooted well, on that occasion he should have stepped and

gone. There was a gap for him. Russell was a Wigan player before he

switched to Australia, signing back here for Warrington. Rashford, never

far from the centre of action, Westwood.

Gidley hammers it downfield. A good take in the end by Rhys Hanbury.

Doing that part of the game very well, Warrington. Kicking with

plenty of hang time and trying to get the chase up there to restrict

this dangerous Widnes back three. Corey Thompson, making marks on that

occasion, Pat Ah Van tries to do something similar but slips in the

process. WHISTLE

Knocked on! That all went for a blue wrong for Pat Ah Van, from start to

finish -- horribly wrong. They had to give him a break, losing his

footing, they had to keep control of it. I would agree. When it is

conditions like this and greasy, you have to be extra careful with the

play of the ball, if you are not, something devastating could well

happen. Evans... Ratchford is the man at

dummy half. Hill canters forward again with purpose. Daryl Clark

tries to organise things. Ashton Sims is not playing today, he

is suspended, he would love to play and is hoping that his side can

carry them through to a semifinal. A forward pass to Penny at the end of

that. Widnes have a bit of relief here. The skills have been off from

both teams, there has been a slight issue with timing. Then again, it is

forward. It is not done as sharp as you would normally see off these two

sides. A little lethargic, the conditions are a lot worse than it

looks on-screen. Very damp conditions. They are bit difficult.

Bridge stands and waits here. Robbie Hunter-Paul is on the sidelines.

Warrington are the masters of destruction at this point. Every

time the set is together, three players on the bounce. Widnes's

line, they give the ball away too easily. Their discipline and allows

Widnes to get penalties and get into their own half and if you do that

too much you will lose a lot of energy in the opening 20 minutes of

the game. Brown. Mellor looks for the early kick, not a 40/20, was

nearly at the halfway line. That is the reason why it is not a 40/20.

Rashford runs back. The contact is pretty muscular, a little overly

muscular for the Warrington fans. Atkins tries to straighten things

up. Ratchford, out under way. That is one thing that Warrington do

really well, they pick up the ball and have a go quickly. 40/20,

Sandow. He was right on the line but he thinks the bounce will be kind,

it is not. Pat Ah Van brings it back. In these conditions kicking

with a 40/20, you have two zip it along the ground. You cannot get

height as the dampest makes it bounce higher, you have to go low

and hard, skimming across the top. Hep Cahill for Widnes, just one try

so far if you are joining us late. Jack Hughes scored for Warrington

early in the piece. Houston. Back with Brown. Macgraff Leuluai. The

sixth tackle is next, Brown puts it high. Endeavour and, spinning,

Ratchford is the clear favourite to take it safely and does. -- over and

over. Looking for penny, nowhere to go.

He loses it. That is a bonus for Widnes. Just trying to play field

positions and trying to force the error. That is exactly how the

tackle was one, macro -- Warrington return the ball, a

straightforward drop in the wrestle by Kevin Penny. Widnes have made a

change, Dudson has come onto the field, Buchanan has gone off. They

did it just before the scrum, they cannot make into changes at the

scrum but they did it just beforehand. Here he comes with his

first touch, Dudson with a shuddering charge forward. Widnes in

decent position here. Mellor with a Dodge and a weave...

White tries to get himself over. Warrington are too wise for that

ploy. It is a very slow play of the ball here, Westwood gets himself

entangled here. Mellor throws it to Brown, they are running out of

tackles and options here, Widnes at the moment. Brown with a grubber

kick, off of the boot of Atkins. It does not matter, because he Kalex

it, but then he drops it stops the clock.

-- Kalex. He took a knock while he was on the ground -- he collect it.

I think you got a knee in the back of his head as he was going down. He

plays the ball with his foot, taking the sting out of it. Looking to

reclaim, a total accident. But he has the left knee of Hep Cahill.

Closing down very quickly. He is the option. The option Widnes look for

at the try line. Closing down, staying on him. Mellor will have two

help him out, I think. This is going to be head and feet for Widnes here,

isn't it? He has given a penalty. If it is accidental, why is it a

penalty and why is it on report? I think because it is contact with his

head. The referee says it is accidental... REFEREE: I was too

busy talking... That is a scrum for Warrington. He is on his knees. They

have looked after him pretty well, the physio and the doctors, as they

do. Protocol in Rugby league at the minute is to ensure any head knocks

are really looked after and assessed and, if necessary, removed from the

field of play. It is fantastic. I know when we played, the physio

would check concussion, and he would say, when is my sister 's birthday?

I did not know he had a sister! The way it works, for those who are not

clear, he goes off and has 15 minutes to have a full assessment.

Atkins, and if the doctors on the sideline think he is OK, I did not

it counts as an interchange. It takes all decision-making away from

the player. Every player thinks that he can stay on, and the decision is

taken from his hands, he goes off and is checked. Ryan Bailey comes

onto the field. He has a bit of history in the Ladbrokes Challenge

Cup. With Leeds, only once as a winner though. It looks like

Westwood will be out in the centre. Currie in the centre.

An early drive, Westwood at left-centre at the moment.

Widnes need to get their Mojo back and ensure that they restrict

Warrington. Russell is still going, look at that

leg drive, managing to get the balance against his opponents.

Hill... Getting closer and closer, less than 20 away. Three tackles to

go and Gidley picks it up again. It will be covered but it is in a

dangerous position again, all Thompson can do is concede a drop

out under the sticks. That is one of the biggest differences, returning

the ball over, Warrington, giving pressure. Keeping Widnes in their

own half. An element of composure from Sandow there. Seeing if they

can slide the ball through, putting it into the in goal, a good chase

indeed. Another set of tackles, launching an attack on the NACRO to

line. He missed a chunk of the season, there was a 25 minute spell

against Wigan where he produced the best performance for many a year,

then he got an injury and was missing for a month or so --

launching an attack on the Widnes side. He is great to watch. Clark

goes to Gidley and Gidley takes on the line. Also this year he has

brought in a lot of confidence. He was not previously doing that. Not a

lot he could do there when he got the ball, Evans. He was surrounded.

Gidley. Advancing by Dudson. Away to Bailey. On the last tackle here now.

Where does it go? Left to Sandow, he has a kick to the goal area but it

is rescued by Thompson and taken back to the field of play. Thompson

read the play well, gambling on the kick, if the password wide, it would

have been out of position. -- if the pass went wide. Well read. You have

to get back into the field of play. So that you, once again, can clear

your line and by territory with a kick at the end of the set. 42

tackles made, by Widnes, Wolves have 49. Widnes have made more tackles

than any other side in Super League this year, 250 odd, something like

that. Mellor slips as he kicks a way, not the end product he would

have wanted. Ratchford. Currie. Now Penny. We have seen him

score and eye-catching try or two, haven't we? The game is certainly

slower because of the conditions. The players are tentative, trying to

make sure of the ball before they go into contact. It hasn't got that

fizz at the moment. Clark at dummy half, Bailey again and onto Hill and

now Sandow. They break the line but taken down by a very good tackle.

That is the fifth, this is the sixth. Diddley gets the kick away.

Patrick Ah Van in the field of play when he called it so we have to do

something about it himself and he is doing a decent job. Hanbury from

dummy half. This is good pressure from Warrington. Widnes need a

complete set to get a very good kick in.

Shifted across to Dudson, who will take on Bailey. Two big fellas.

Dudson get a very good ball away. They anticipated it well and

suddenly Widnes find themselves inside the Warrington half.

They couldn't get the pass away. Hanbury kicks for the corner.

Ratchford has a job to do and it will be tackling. Look where they

are. Really good because they asked questions. They played a little

quicker, lovely dab into the corner to challenge and clear their own

end. Westwood can't keep hold of it. He desperately tries to but he has

lost it and Widnes have the advantage play. He had the spare

plated try something, knowing it would come back to Widnes's head of

the field. Kurt Gidley is wearing the player microphone today so we

will be hearing from him at half-time what has been going on on

the field. There might be a few blue words about what he has just seen

there. We will hear more about that later. Fascinating to listen to the

organising they do because Kurt Gidley is the conductor of the

orchestra. Yes, we have heard the forwards, the big grunts and

collisions but that organisational stuff that goes on out there, the

general giving his orders. Widnes a close here. Mellor's short pass to

Bridge. Good tackle, they caught that right at the defensive line.

Still a few tackles to go so still opportunities aplenty. Brown will

put the kick to the corner and Russell will take you easily. He is

not challenged until he can keep it down and make sure he stays in the

field of play. That is an easy take, wrong decision by Brown. I think

they look like they are flat at the moment, Widnes, when they attack, no

speed on their executions which is easier for the Warrington defenders.

The most dangerous they look for the off-load from Dudson and the broken

play that came from that. We have had Ashton Sims, on the sidelines.

Sandow knocks on and it is clicked on by Mellor. He plays the football,

picks it up and has he touched down? The referee will put the square in

the air and ask the question. Zero tackle. He thinks he scored. He

thinks it is a try on the field, the benefit of the doubt is with Widnes

let's hear from our video referee, Phil Bentham. We will just check the

ground. The referee is behind the play. We have a clean pick-up and

everything there looks like a try to me, happy to give the try.

Quick decision and the gift of a try for Widnes. A dreadful mistake first

of all, I'm not sure if Sandow thinks it is a forward pass so he

gives up on it and Mellor quick as a flash gets his foot to it and scores

are very well finished try. Just watch. He let it go through his

hands and that is a very good finish, difficult, he could have

snatched that end, a very good finish. But an easy try for him,

handed on a plate. Just rewarding Jonathan Forte camping down in the

Warrington 20, playing field position rugby. Hanbury with a

chance to even things up, right in front of the sticks, and he does as

expected. I thought this was always going to be a close game. A fierce

local derby, rivalry and just watch, this is the pass. King throws the

pass and I don't know what Sandow thought was happening. That was

great skill. We see conditions, picks it up without breaking stride

to score. I always thought if Widnes came and got the defence right, this

would be a real test for both sides. Apart from the Hughes tried, they

fronted up and they are in this game big-time. All that meaning all the

local rivalry, Challenge Cup semifinal, at stake as well. We have

got a cup tie on our hands now, six points apiece. Warrington bench

looking calm and collected. It is another off-load. Dudson again, he

is having an impact on the came on from the bench. He is and they need

to switch on to it because they gave him great success in the. --

earlier. A little scamper and back down it comes in the middle again

and Widnes make indecent yardage. This is what Widnes have to do, make

the yardage. Kevin Brown slips away. He passes on to Whitley, now a

chance for Bridge. He goes for the line, great tackle. Daryl Clark gets

better and stopped the man on the sixth. Played out by Westwood. It is

another six if Widnes get it back. It is, Whitley gets away again and

he scores. In the blink of an eye, it has all gone white here. Widnes

have turned this game around. Again, the half-break, great support,

fantastic tackle by Clark. But they kept their composter and Widnes

picked the ball up and turned. Brash they kept their composure. Good on

Denis Betts as well for sending Heather Myer out there with Lloyd

White. Lloyd White puts the kick in, it is

back to one and it really is a fractured Warrington defence. Widnes

says thank you very much. I will go through those tackles and under the

post. Manuokafoa and Dudson have made a huge impact. They have made

the yards, the half-backs on the front foot, making attacking play

easier and the kicking game easier. Right in front of the sticks. This

should not be a problem for Rhys Hanbury and it isn't. From 6-0 down,

less than a few minutes ago, Widnes are now 12-6 up at half-time looms.

They have grown into this game, Widnes Vikings. I don't think you

can believe his luck there. A good bit of footwork but just a bit too

easy. A fractured defensive line and Warrington did that and it didn't

pay offer them. The last few minutes, the possession is 58 event,

as is territory, in favour of Widnes. -- 58%. That is how you have

to play in these conditions, looked after the ball and buy some land.

There is the statistical proof. Houston tries to send his side in a

forward motion again. Dudson once more striking things up. Heremaia

weights and then scampers. Warrington's defence being tested

again. Playing the ball is a lot quicker with those two as well. He

gets his arm free and he wanted the off-load but he couldn't scoop it

back to Heremaia who was waiting. Kevin Brown looking for the big

patch of grass right down the middle. Danger here because

Ratchford can turn something out of nothing but not on this occasion.

You would be happy with that. Gil Dudson spoils what has been a very

good few minutes the him with a simple penalty. A penalty that

Sandow put out of play. Let's hear from him now, Ashton Sims is with

Tanya. You are kicking every ball, trying to make every tackle? What do

you make of this so far? The game is on a knife edge, Widnes have

probably been the better team for the last five minutes but we need to

go back to completing. Put some more pressure back on them. Is it

frustrating few to watch? Really frustrating. It is a real tight one

and that is what a derby is all about. Kurt Gidley looking for a

route back down the middle. Ratchford threatening to find a way

through. Clark from dummy half. Gidley will kick it, not quite for

the corner, a bit of shortness on the ball. Hanbury collect and

manages to get it back in play. Defensive kicking from Widnes is

pretty good. They had enough numbers around the ball to defuse the

situation. Warrington are playing as individuals at the moment. Kurt

Gidley, Sandow. Kurt Gidley and Evans doing a job on Patrick Ah Van

and it needed doing. Six minutes to the break. One tackle in this set

for Widnes. Brown looking for distance and hits, was it an

advancing Warrington player? Yes it was. I am with the referee, he

didn't play it at the ball. I don't know what Lloyd White was doing

there. I think he thought it was an extra man and he was looking for the

wing. There wasn't the extra man. He has two defenders. He thinks the

winger is on the outside and throws it to the space but he is

unfortunately a man shot. -- short. The difference is the pace of the

play of the ball. Widnes struggled in the first 20 minutes and

Warrington's defence were on top of them. Now they have momentum. If you

get that, you have to make the most of it. Widnes have done that.

Interesting start because Warrington are renowned of running out of dummy

half with the speed of play and Widnes have 18 dummy half carries to

Warrington's seven. Sandow at dummy half. Back inside. One of those off

the bench George King, tackled 40 metres out. Warrington are looking

for and needing a response. They do well to play the ball quickly.

Clark. Evans, quickly away to Russell on the right-hand side. The

Widnes defence organised enough to be over there. Evans did

exceptionally well. Gidley again. Westerman spinning it onto

Ratchford. They are going left now. Sandow inside the attempted tackle

of Thompson. Whitley concerned for Sandow, asking the referee... Sandow

just wanted to play on. This is a kick for the corner. That was a real

sucker punch. The referee says tried but he is looking at the grounding

again so once again, let's hear from the video ref three, Phil Bentham.

Just a grounding check again. Just to make sure he has hands on the

ball. And the ball is all the way to the ground. We need to check the

kick because... Just to make sure it is onside. The ball is on the ground

and then he grabbed it. Just double-check the kick.

That is onside, we have no problem with that. Just need the grounding

to finish off to confirm it, please. The ball hit the ground first and he

has to get his hands on it and he grounds it. Try.

There is the evidence Warrington are back in the tie. Smart play as well

because the Wolves noticed the right winger, Thompson, came in to shut

the play down on Sandow so he was out opposition and then he picked

the ball up and slipped it behind what would have been the right wing

man and that is where Penny succeeded in grounding it. Very

clever play. It all came from that mistake from Lloyd White which gave

the field position and this is the cleverness, just slid along and

there is penny to ground it. A brilliant piece of play by King. The

instincts of the centre. He hadn't dropped back. He thought about it,

by that time, Penny had scored. Brilliant play by Warrington. Gidley

from the touchline. I think Wall Street is eager to get involved as

well from that angle. -- I think Wolfie is eager to get involved. The

margin is much less slender than it was. Just watch, he wasn't sure what

to do. 22, he made the tackle on Sandow, does he go in or out and

fortunately, there is his opposite number. The little back play behind

all of that, we saw him playing the ball and clearly uncomfortable,

Sandow is still on the field but he has been having treatment while that

try was being judged by the video referee and he is not moving as

freely as he was. He has basically two and a half minutes to get into

the changing room where they can assess him. They will be telling him

to get in the defensive line and do his defensive work. Any attacking

work is a bonus if he is hobbling about.

I don't think we realised how important that try was. Warrington

really struggling with the energy levels at this point. Just before

that try was scored. It would takes individual brilliance to break that

moment. Look at what is happening now, Warrington on the foot. If

somebody does score before the break, you would think Warrington

would be favourites. The kick safely passed by Hanbury. Set each here

before the hooter sounds. You would say so. Pretty conservative and low

risk stuff from Widnes. A good kick. You don't want to be handing

Warrington possession anywhere in your own half. A bruising run by

Patrick Ah Van. Mick Cassidy sitting beside Daniel Spence, looking a bit

anxious. Less pressure as it moves out wide. A conservative, thoughtful

kick to make sure it is as difficult as possible. There was nothing wrong

with that tackle from Lloyd White. He is carrying the ball in one hand

as well, Ratchford. You have to go for the ball. If you are on the

coaching staff, you have to say, attack that ball when he is running

it back. Ratchford collections. Westwood romping forward again.

Westwood has been here 14 years. They are looking for width for

Sandow who is skipping away and still going but loses it in the

tackle from Houston. The referee says it was knocked on. Warrington

will rush for the scrum to back it down so the referee stopped the

clock. I think it is a forward pass from Sandow. A one-handed off-load

here. It is a forward pass. It certainly is. It is interesting

because Chris Sandow packed down as Caulker here, and don't want him in

that position. -- Coke Delhi hooker -- hooker.

That forward pass, the referee was right next door to it. I can't

believe how he missed that pass. The game as tight as it is, that is

crucial. With 20 seconds, would you just take it in and take one point

grid and there are two options, do that or I would take it on the line

and put a grubber through. We don't see enough of it in this occasion.

Someone should take the ball, Westerman tell Ratchford and it is

on. This is the kick. Currie and Sandow chasing this and Widnes happy

to get it behind the ball line because they will waste the seven or

eight seconds here before the hooter sounds. I think Jonathan Davies

played number 11 today. There you have it. A decent cup tie,

Warrington 10-12 Widnes. Plenty to come in the second half and plenty

to come from him. It will be interesting if he is limping badly,

not running as comfortably as we are used to seeing him so a big

decision, will he come on in the second half? A very good first half

of rugby. Thoroughly enjoyed it, defensive clearly on top on both

sides. Let's here from Chris Sandow. You look like you are a little

uncomfortable, carrying an injury? Yes, in the first half, hopefully we

will attack their kicking game in the second half. I will definitely

be back out in the second half. I think we will settle down in the

second half and start playing some football. Kevin Brown, happy without

half? Yes, plenty to work on. Errors with the ball that were fixed. You

think if you can hang onto the ball, you can get over the line? We spoke

about completing and we didn't do that earlier on. We dropped a few

balls but when we got into the ground, we started looking good.

These are the stats from the first. -- first half.

11 errors in total, we will come to that in a minute. When we come to

the analysis, which we will eliminate, the errors caused a lot

of the points that have been scored? As the Warrington Wolves started to

make errors... When you do that, you drop off and Widnes came into the

game. Widnes will be happy they did that because they didn't look like

they were going to add the start. Some of these big games revolve

around the kicking game and how well you can kick the ball. Widnes

kicking the ball terribly. They forced a couple of errors and

back-to-back sets which gave them some respite from the fact

Warrington were not playing as well. A couple of errors from Warrington

gave them field position and got them back into the game. Kevin Brown

mentioned it, the kicking was a problem and he mentioned he kicked

the early one on the full. Warrington started brightly. Widnes

had issues with their kicking game at the start. Kevin Brown sliced

back, a complete mess kit. Under no real pressure. Smart play from Kurt

Gidley on the back of that. I am a massive fan of Jack Hughes, great

strength and speed to score this try. Smart play in wet conditions.

All part of Warrington's bright start. It came from the defence. It

resulted in not this try but a period of about 25 minutes of

pressure. Ultimately, what caused an end to that were errors from

Warrington. When you say Hep Cahill overworked what do you mean? You

also looked like you slept. When you get into a position like that, he is

working really hard, pushing towards a sideline, to stop and change

direction is difficult. He almost made his foot unstable and that is

why he slept. Very slippy conditions and Hep Cahill is really racing

across the line and going back against that brain as Jack Hughes

did, with the drop-off type of play, causes a lot of problems for

defenders. Widnes struggled with fluency. I think in big games, you

need to nail your fluency so everyone knows what they are doing.

Jack Hughes puts Kevin Brown under pressure. I thought Warrington put

Widnes under loads of pressure early doors. Hanbury timing it, I thought

it was a bit off. Great defence against the Warrington, very

aggressive. Off the back of that, Mellor would probably nail this.

Great take from Penny. Widnes were ineffective in the first 20 minutes

and got back into the game off the back of Warrington making errors and

not being able to defend in that kind of energetic, aggressive way.

One of the Warrington errors led to the Joe Mellor try as well which got

Widnes back into it. We talk about being a support player, running

support like that, didn't want the ball, we spoke about Joe Mellor

being instinctive and that is instinctive attacking play. Everyone

also is waiting and Joe Mellor moved forward, kicked the ball, it is a

difficult skill to kick and gather. It changed times. The first half

hinged on errors from Warrington. They gifted Widnes. I think

Warrington gifted them. Would you say a bigger picture is that

Widnes's fluency was caused by the lack -- lack of long Willey fluency

was caused by the way Warrington were playing at yet Warrington were

the masters of their own downfall? We saw them right in the face of

Sandow so they have turned the tables. They put Warrington under

pressure so with people in their face and under pressure, they came

up with a couple of errors. They also got lucky on a couple of kicks.

It took a bit of juice out of Warrington. It is all about balance.

Warrington stopped what they were doing. One of the reasons for that I

think, we spoke about the weather before the game and when you are

player, you talk about lightspeed because you know the ball is more

difficult catch. When there has been line speed, that is when the ball

been dropped and players have taken their eyes off the ball. Good

Warrington switch off after the amazing tackle from Daryl Clark? I

think this try summed it up. Heremaia was brought on and he made

a big difference running out of dummy half. Big spaces and this is

when dummy halves thrive. Great skill and Kevin Brown at his best.

Passing the ball. Great cover tackle. Warp speed. Lloyd White

attempts to put the kick in, Widnes play around with the ball. What a

fantastic piece of instinctive attacking play but poor defence.

That is not defence of a knockout game. It is desperation in defence.

This winner tries to make a cover tackle and is found out in the

middle. It came from that turning momentum, that Widnes grew in

confidence and Warrington made a few errors. The energy battle on the

field in these conditions is really important and Warrington masted that

the 20 minutes and then they fell to bits in terms of the energy. But

they had something to say at the end of the half. If that offends? You

spoke about it at the start. -- is that defence? You said Warrington

can sometimes switch off. I would agree, if you had said those players

in and around the ball, if you read that tackle... Warrington are back

in it, thanks to the Penny try. That was unbelievable vision. The winger

Corey Thompson has come in to make a couple of tackle so he is out of the

way. Penny holds his job and holds the width of the sideline. That is a

smart kick. King putting a kick in down the short side. That is not

something you would see Jamie Peacock doing! I am the drop goal

man! And the sidestep man, let's not forget! That came off the back of

Lloyd White, it was a mistake and it gifted the possession and Penny

scored a try. Errors have been so important in this first half. Both

teams I think our defending pretty well. For the first 20 minutes,

Warrington were very dominant. They got lucky, they got a couple of

errors out of Warrington, because of their defensive line speed and they

put some pressure on the Warrington kick and got the ball in the right

part of the field so I think they defences are all right.

You may remember that we told you about the songs of praise

competition, a fans choir would sing abide with me at the Challenge Cup

final, looking for a representative from 32 clubs, this week it was the

judging section of the competition. Nothing like the X Factor! We ask

for someone who has gone beyond the Call of Duty to help and support

their team. That is the key line, that he has coached over 1000 boys

and girls. I think she is doing a lot of work of the field. He is a

lifetime supporter. You have to look further at something original and

different. Can't they both do it? I would like both of them as well.

When you look at a choir, it is always a bit of a mix. We just have

to call them now. The winner for the Warrington Wolves is with me, it is

Joan Ayres. What was your reaction when you got the call to say you

would sing at Wembley? I could not believe it, I did not know that I

had been nominated. A friend of mine sent me the link for rent, but I'm

in the middle of house renovations and pushed it to one side -- sent me

the link for it. I thought that it was just banter, but I got a call on

Tuesday saying I had been successful. RU a good singer? No! I

will be the one that will end Wembley, believe me! We look forward

to it, thank you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I'm

eternally grateful. That is what it is all about, the

opportunity rather than be singing. Speaking of noises, Wigley has been

wearing the player microphone during the first half and this is what it

picked up -- Kurt Gidley. Get the ball back. Get in! Here...

Push! Push it! Help him, guys. Off the ground. Leuluai! Leuluai! Arm

wrestle. Hold it, hold it... Yes. Over! Mine! Referee, tell me when...

No one at the back, no one at the back!

There is a real difference between when the forwards where the mike and

when the backs where the microphone. I think that you can see he is

pivotal to the defence on the right edge, if you listen, they have

struggled a lot. He has been vocal in organising people around. That is

what you expect in senior players. When he says to the referee, tell me

when, for those dipping in and out the game, why does he say that? The

real reason is to get the referee onside! Get further with the

referee. Talk to him and really want him to work with you. That is it.

Who would have thought that John would say that? Glasgow back over to

other commentary team, Jonathan Davies and John Kear. COMMENTATOR:

Warrington have been out for five or six minutes, Widnes are just coming

out, Warrington have gone through a warm up on the sidelines, we see

this every now and then, teams get different ideas of what to do and

how to restart the second half. It seems like a lot of common sense,

warming up? It will be interesting to see what the Super League

referees do at St Helens... And Jonny Wilkinson is onside! This is

the referee tonight, James Child. Denis Betts, down on the sidelines.

Barking out one or two last-minute orders before he goes and takes his

place in the stand. A game in the balance, 12-10 in the favour of

Widnes. I think that you are listening to Gidley seeing stay in

the armrest... When the opportunity comes they had to create something

and get points on the board. It is all to play for in this half. I feel

there is more to come from Warrington attacking wise, as I said

before, Widnes had to hang in there and take chances. It is not easy to

get to the semifinal of the Challenge Cup... The Ladbrokes

Challenge Cup has one occupant, having beaten Huddersfield last

night, Wakefield are through. It is nip and tuck. Tomorrow, we have era

against Catalan early on, then the big event on the BBC at 5:15pm

tomorrow, Wigan play Castleford -- Hull. A decent quarterfinal line-up.

Mellor puts boot to ball. Rashford is comfortable, taking it

off the bounce. An organised to chose from Widnes. Warrington begin

from here. A couple of mistakes that we saw in the game, mistakes giving

up field position. The fans have got themselves wound

up in the second half, wound up a bit more, right in front of the

Warrington supporters, Pat Ah Van. Silly! A misdemeanour. I cannot

understand what is going through the head of that man in that last

tackle. It was so obvious... He makes the tackle, he has his arms

around him. Every man and his dog could see that! WHISTLE

He comes on and shows that he is on television tonight. Pat Ah Van has

held up an arm of apology to his team-mates. Gidley will slow things

down by fastening his boot laces before continuing play... So, Clark

will get things going again. Sandow seemingly recovered from that injury

he got in the first half. Ratchford passes to the left-hand side of

Currie. He was hobbling back into position, wasn't he? He just went

dummy, he went very quiet. I mean, to be fair, Clark is a man at dummy

half. Pat Ah Van is a cross to make the tackle. A good read from Pat Ah

Van. Equally again, into the path of George King but he is chopped down

just short, Westwood picks up and goes. -- Gidley. Putting pace on,

but the Widnes line was waiting for him. It is a handover back to

Widnes. Let's hear the half-time Centre from Tony Arnold. Some

slightly worrying news for Atkins, they called an ambulance to take him

to hospital because the doctor was unhappy with his condition, he went

off with a head injury. Tony Smith told his side to be more patient and

cut down on errors, tying up the defence. Denis Betts has said that

he has to start the second half better, completing the sets. He says

they had not taken advantage of the chances created, more support is

needed so that they can need from dummy half. Spun away to Brown,

Brown goes for a 40/20 attempt here. Looking for the touchline on the

near side. The bounce is unkind, a decent kick, picked up by Matty

Russell and he has work to do to get it away. They have shown it, Widnes

kicked early. Mellor and Brown. Playing field position. Looking to

force the error. Clark at dummy half, going left to Ben Currie.

Trying to quicken things. Widnes pull down inside of their own

half. Currie at six here. Pat Ah Van is

the main man for Widnes on that occasion, trying to step around. He

beats the initial attempted tackle from Russell. But there are more in

a blue or waiting. He did well, Ah Van. Diffusing the situation, his

team going forward. A spill, basic and as we said in the first half,

when you play the ball in these conditions, you must be careful. Ah

Van, that is sloppy. Giving Warrington a great opportunity. A

couple of errors by Widnes. I think that Ben Currie, now out in the

centre, he could be useful, he is playing exceptionally well this

year. That will be difficult. He is much bigger than his opposite

number. Chris Bridge there. An arm stretch from Sandow, he thought

there was a penalty in that but nothing was given. George King

nipping inside of the 20 metre mark, Sandow. Quickly played, Clark is up

there, passing away... Currie in the corner, the referee is not sure. No

try. REFEREE: I want to check if he loses it... He thinks he has lost

it, has he? Let's look at the video evidence through the eyes of our

video referee tonight, Phil Bentham. I want to check the grounding,

please? He has a grip on it there. It looks short... I honestly cannot

tell from that angle. Need to find proof that he has scored. A hand in

there, he still has the ball. And... Does he keep a grip on it and drag

it forward? Let's have a look at it, please? Does he maintain his grip on

it or does the ball come away from his hand? I can't 100% see whether

or not he keeps a grip on the ball, do we have any other angles, please?

Thank you. We've just got this angle? We've got

no try on the field... The referee's opinion was that it was lost. And

there, Ewart had to say with ball around his thighs, that he has lost

the ball. -- you would have to say. Can you show that in normal speed?

Just to see if it gives us a different view there... My

suggestion is that he has dropped the ball, I'm going with the on

field decision of no try. A knock-on, it will be a scrum.

COMMENTATOR: No try. I think that is the right decision, wasn't it? Under

how the rules work. I don't think it was a try anyway, but how they work

at the moment, he had to give no try. We decided a kick had to go. I

thought he lost possession. So it remains. Advantage Widnes, two

points, 35 minutes. To settle this cup tie. Widnes, deep inside of

their own half. Warrington have come out with intent and purpose in this

second half. But credit to Widnes, up until now, they've withstood the

storm. Cheap penalties on nights like this. Ball to Joe Westerman.

Kevin Brown has found it... Yes. Matty Russell was interested, he

felt he might have got a hand on it, but it did clear him. Houston drives

it forward, Widnes get their first tackle, finding themselves inside of

the Warrington half. It's the new fella, Buchanan. Plays

for the Tigers in Australia. Cahill, a good off-load. Heremaia, Mellor

will Spain and he continues to tease the Warrington defence. -- spin. The

big fella Hill climbs over him. Heremaia is off again quickly,

trying to punch a hole in the resolute Warrington defence, but all

they have done is drop the ball and Warrington get it back again. Great

defence on both sides, there was a desperate tackle by the shorts.

Great urgency, forcing the error. Good play from him initially with

that footwork and off-load, and Heremaia and Melo rose support. That

is where it is dangerous, around the ruck area with that off-load in

broken field, it causes problems in that tactic of play -- Mellor's.

A key with Sandow and him struggling... They are the rock and

roll of Warrington, Gidley is the rock, Sandow is the role... The

partnership, but he is not looking healthy at all, Gidley. Widnes will

sense an opportunity here tonight. Clark at dummy half. Sandow half

hobble, Gidley full hobble. Nothing wrong with Clark... But he is well

matched and down he goes. Hughes got us all blogging in the first half

with this early try. Put down, easily enough -- got us all going.

Sandow tries to dribble one through but it does not come off. Widnes,

back again. Good pressure by the Widnes Vikings there, making it a

difficult last tackle for Sandow. No option, Gidley was limping badly as

well. Back they come, to try to make their mark. Waiting on the left-hand

side commits Houston. -- it is Houston. A good off-load from

Cahill, but they weren't quite ready. Hanbury runs back again,

clutching a hole. Just about stifling his ambitions. Widnes Rolls

on again. Round misses... It was overrun by Pat Ah Van. A typical

Kevin Brown pass but it did not quite connect. A surprise that Pat

Ah Van overran him, it would have stopped play, a long pass. It would

have been in the clear, had he held his depth. Why is he going to

overrun it? If you are in front of the ball, you see that Kevin Brown's

brain switched on with quick play of the ball he came running across and

saw the overlap and the pass way before any other player Pat Ah Van

had a hole he had run in. Opportunity knocks for the

Warrington door, but it remains shut. They had to get back into

this. Westwood, he is the man going off, but interestingly Brad Dwyer is

coming on for the first time tonight. That adds something for

Warrington here Tony said that he plays the game in fast forward,

let's see if that happens... I wonder if he is fully fit, he got

special attention from Clark before the game so maybe that is why he was

a delayed entry? Two very quick players with Clark and Dwyer... Both

on the field, Gidley is still on there, he looks to be running easier

than he was. Anxious moments. A push and a barge, Dwyer is in there.

Sandow is the man to the right. Stifling and suffocating him with a

two man tackle. A penalty not given, Gidley chiming in. Hughes cannot get

the ball away. Widnes do a terrific job of getting the ball away.

Exerting pressure, the Wolves. All credit to the online defence of the

Widnes Vikings, really well organised and urgent, and committed.

Patrick Ah Van knows his side, typical in the Challenge Cup tie

that he comes up with a try at some point. A good run... Giving a break.

Heremaia, looking back to the middle of Cahill. Cahill has been good to

night, I think. An ex-Melbourne man, arriving over here in Wales with the

Celtic Crusaders. The beginning of his British Super League career.

Mellor, pressure on him meant that was the result, not a good kick.

Still a six tackle, Warrington get it back. Good pressure from Jordan

Cox. A good job from the big prop forward. Really good pressure there.

Quick in there, eager and sensing there are opportunities for him.

Urgency in how Warrington are playing. WHISTLE

A penalty for the second man. The tackle had been done, the job had

been done, but To get involved as well. Good work from Houston, wasn't

it? Getting the dummy half down. -- but

Lloyd White had to get involved as well. The referee having a chat with

the Warrington skipper, Chris Hill. Asking for his side to play down a

little. Too much chat from his players. Six tackles for Warrington

to have a real go. Jordan Cox, very much involved in setting up this

position. Clark, eventually put on his back. It is legal. Dwyer and a

penalty again. More messing about, this time it is him. Will he go for

two to even it up? The debate will be going on but I think it is going

for an attack. Two arms pointing at the sticks, the decision is taken

that they go for the two. This is to make it all square. I think the

indicator was a guy sprinting on! A clue... This is a full-blooded Cup

game now, isn't it? It is great, isn't it? It's not too early to tell

you that if it is all square after 80 minutes, we go to extra time.

Golden point within that ten minutes. If it is all square... A

dramatic skyline, isn't it? It is a dramatic game. I like that shot.

Carefully placed by Gidley. His Challenge Cup quarterfinal epitaph

we were a little too eager to write earlier because he is quite clearly

still out there. He is muscular, running off a joint injury. A big

moment in a big game, Gidley puts it over. It means that we are all

square, 12-12, they are getting excited and we are too. 26 minutes

to play to sort this one out. 12-12. Just as we would have wanted it to

be. Richie Mathers having a word with Tony Smith. He is involved with

the player welfare here these days, still playing at the Bradford Bulls.

A big run. There he is. That is good defence. They are rocking now. It

has the feel of a cup tie, there is a bit of urgency about it. Chris

Hill takes it forward, using that footwork of his to eat out an extra

yard or two. Wants to play but is not allowed. A team of warning, you

can see the referee swinging his arm around. He is telling Widnes they

are on a team warning, the next penalty, however, it said, is off in

the sin-bin. It is a rather vague period of time, the referee decides

how long to do it. It is an important set here, Denis Betts

knows it. Dwyer goes left. We will be hearing from Robbie in a

few minutes. Let's see how this develops over the next few moments.

Gidley, Evans steps back inside. Hanbury and Cahill between them, one

is a speed bump, the other is a full stop. It is taken by Thompson, taken

underneath the sticks. Let's hear from Robbie Hunter poll. Down on the

sidelines. These Challenge Cup games are all about pressure we get to

25-23 minutes left in the game, the experience will step up to the mark.

They have had the most exposure in this Challenge Cup, they are coming

out on top at this point in time. These are the players to turn to in

times like these, Radford. The possession is in the favour of

Warrington in the early part of the second half, the first 15 minutes,

they must make it pay. Dwyer out of dummy half to Chris Hill. The

warrior down the middle. Dwyer picks it up to have a run, to see if those

limbs are tiring a little, there was a hint of it.

Rhys Evans is squashed. Still tackles in the bag. Ratchford goes

nowhere. One tackle to go... It is Dwyer. Gidley tries to get the kick,

played out. Warrington have it back again. Another set of six. Another

set to have a go. Dwyer just needs one! And the determination, and will

score. Warrington have the lead. Widnes, resistance finally broken.

They are dancing in sheer delight. Great reward for Warrington. They

upped the intensity, keeping possession. A few penalties,

discipline for Widnes, the fresh legs of this kid, shadowing in the

blocks. Brilliant bitterness from the her car. -- her car. -- hooker.

After they regained possession, you could see that Dwyer is scanning

from dummy half, off he goes... And over he goes. Real clever dummy half

play there, scanning all the time as he approaches. Then he is out like a

Jack Russell. And over he goes. Houston I think is a little too

wide, the first offender there, a little too wide. He was in the

shadows of the first team last year, Dwyer, sent out to London on loan

and was called back as an emergency when Nicky Hyams signed for Lee

because they needed a dummy half, and when he came back he was a

revelation. He has been ever since. Even Tony Smith admitted he was not

expecting that sort of progression from him as quickly as it came.

Gidley could give Warrington a 6-point lead, they are in the lead

for the first time since the half-hour mark.

WHISTLE 18-12.

It is boiling up nicely here! Yes, it will be interesting to see the

response from Widnes, they had to be squeaky clean with penalties, this

is just clever, and as Jonathan Riley said, it was too wide. He

spotted the defending as he scanned and approached the dummy half. Three

he went. I think Tony Smith feels that the substitution was justified.

Yes, just play it down there -- through he went. I think that you

can sum up Charlie Runciman's involvement in that as

"Second-best". He hurt himself trying to get involved. Warrington

making progress again, the bit between teeth now.

Leuluai, Cahill, amongst those in there. This is Chris Hill again.

Couple of tackles to go, Ratchford trying to make mincemeat down the

middle but they respond. They put the kick away and again under heavy

pressure. Whitley gets there quickly. The full-back claims he was

challenged in midair at the referee says, get on with it. If you enjoyed

tonight, don't forget tomorrow, 5:15pm, we are on air for the Wigan,

Castleford game. After that game, we have the draw for the semifinal are

plenty of reasons to be on BBC Two tomorrow. I can't imagine if there

is anything else going on in the sporting world tomorrow? That is

going to be the highlight (!) Brown. Just looking for the touchline. Back

there to cover is Matty Russell. Who is your money on, John Kear? If

Warrington maintain this intensity and focus, it will be them but at

some stage, Widnes will get a run of possession which will change

momentum and when that happens, Widnes have to take advantage.

Hill again. Cahill leading the tackle. The top three of Widnes, all

above the top three of Warrington. It comes down safely. Into the hands

of... Kevin Penny drags him down. That has gone backwards. Slow down a

little but still prolific. Charlie Runciman trying to put his head

between the two and get Ah Van away but the second part of that equation

was not going to come off. Now it is taken against. -- again.

A couple of tackles to go. This has been a very good set. All started

off by Corey Thompson. Brown puts it into the pocket behind the goal line

and Currie has to get out of there. He has got out of there. Big play in

the centre. To get back in the field of play, Kurt Gidley looking for the

penalty. That was marvellous play from Ben Currie.

The inside ball. Is Sandow hurt again? He is not. Lovely flick from

Hill. Some tired bodies out there. So there will be gaps opening up on

both teams. The final play of that sets his Sandow send the ball

downfield, Hanbury dodges away from Sandow and anyone else who cares to

get in his wake and here he goes towards and over the halfway line

and a big tackle from Hughes. They just need to play on the front foot

and play it quick. Two tackles on Bridge already, inside the 40

metres, inside the Warrington half. Dobson, it fell, crashing it in. --

Dudson. Widnes getting closer and closer. It is Houston, over the top.

Runciman will score. A very good rugby league try, eight terrific

rugby league try. Runciman touching down. Widnes back in touching

distance. A brilliant response. All the momentum has been with

Warrington. They will have their time and they have taken the

opportunity, they are back in the game. A brilliant cup tie, to and

fro,. It all came with this kick return. Lovely bit of footwork.

Dwyer could not chasing down. Right up to the halfway, that gets him

onto the front foot. The main composure came towards the end of

the set and a great part selection from Kevin Brown. This was even

better, instinct and over goes Runciman in the corner. Great try. A

brilliant off-load. He takes the ball on the short run, Houston, and

as he goes down, that is a brilliant off-load. A lovely pass, brilliantly

finished, easy finished, but great play by Widnes. That is some skill

in these conditions. From start to finish, the whole try, start to

finish. Brilliant step from this guy to start. That was a good kick

chase, they were all over him. Brilliant step.

Having started it, he needs to finish it because this is a big kick

from Hanbury and he has kept his nerve and cool and it is also where.

18 points apiece. -- it is all square. It is a cup tie that has to

be settled. It is what cup ties are all about. Interesting watch Kurt

Gidley and Stefan Ratchford, absolutely landing it to the

Warrington players. They know they need to stay in this game if they

will come away with a victory today. What is he doing on the pitch? Get

off! He thinks he can still play! 15 minutes to go to sort it out. 18

points apiece. The place is rocking now. We are in for a great last 15

because there are two tired teams but both teams have got massive

desire to get to the semis. That was risky. He got away with it. I think

if Westwood had noticed it, he would have favoured to drop on it but

instead it is Patrick Ah Van for Widnes. Jeremiah. Brown behind the

40 when he let that fly. How is the bounce? It is OK for Ratchford but

it is a good chase. Ratchford has the support of Kevin Penny but

determination of Widnes up there to make the tackle good. A very good

chase. Some tired Warrington bodies getting behind the ball. Good play

by the back three. They gave the forward a bit of time to get back.

The three of them work together. Dwyer, relatively fresh pair of

legs, going to be important for Warrington now. Sandow was not

expecting that and it is kicked on by Joe Mellor. They get another set.

Would he have been wiser to drop on the ball? Joe Mellor? Yes. Straight

up pressure. Jonathan indicated he is an instinctive player, Joe

Mellor. His instinct was to toe poked it. Clark, plenty of space to

run into but once he finds the ball, it is an movable.

Last play of the set. 30 yards out. Will it be a steeple from Sandow? It

is. Where is it coming down? It is knocked out and backwards and he has

recovered it, Thompson and now he has a chance to counter. What a

game. You thought it was out of the game, he challenged for the ball. It

hits the ground and then it is up and he is off. William Pitt again,

Westwood. -- brilliant hit again. That is a big call. REFEREE: There

was contact on the head. That was a great hit, just watch. How was that

contact on the head? I think that was a brilliant tackle. That is a

bit harsh. That is a brilliant hit. What has happened? Looking at the

replays, I can only assume Warrington player has a hand on it.

The Vikings kicked to touch. They touched the ball so it will be for

the Widnes Vikings. A bit of luck. They will be happy for a bit of

respite as well. The last ten minutes, off-loads, half breaks, it

has opened up a lot. The players on blowing a bit which gives players

like this guy, the opportunity, Brown, depict the tired ones.

Whitley put down 30 yards away. We could be moving into golden points

territory. 11 minutes of the match remaining. This is the time to take

it now. Ten away, four gone, two tackles to go in this set. Brown

down his left hand side. They missed that path again. Ah Van off the

four. Not a field position for drop goal. Brown looking to thread it

into the in-goal area. It needs dealing with and Ratchford has dealt

with it but only as much as conceding again. He is not sure if

rapture played at it. A very good kick because they were on the

sidelines and he managed to grab the ball through. Had to go for it. He

has a very good play but he went too far wide for the drop goal. If he

had his foot on the floor on the other side of the line, that would

have been a tap at the 20. He couldn't have left the ball to

bounce. Here comes a wave of white from Widnes. Cahill driving it in,

first time off Heremaia, stands and waits. All square, 18 apiece. Who

breaks the game wide open from here? Dudson still going. He has made a

case for man of the match tonight. Gary Spence wriggling in his seat,

such as the tension. It is thrown wide. I questioned whether it went

forward but certainly it went out of play. It needed composure, didn't

have to rush it. They were in control of the game. Plenty of

tackles left. I am with you there. Perhaps, wrong play selection. I

think so. REFEREE: Waiting for the out call, guys. On the out call. You

feel Warrington individually have got the far more dangerous players.

Clark and Ratchford and Currie. They can do something from nothing from

anywhere really. You just still favour them at the moment. Russell.

This is Dwyer. Hill over the halfway line with four

tackles gone, two to go. Clark again but he is going nowhere, he slips.

Last tackle. Sandow. Putting it high. Forward comes Hanbury. He has

claimed it then dropped it. It has not only gone forward but has been

dropped on by Cahill in an offside position so now Warrington get a

very kickable penalty. This might be the match-winning moment. They

peppered the back play with high kicks, a great challenge by Kurt

Gidley to make it a difficult catch for Hanley. -- Hanbury. Cahill is

offside and it is not accidental. You have to compete for the ball in

the air. That is what Gidley did there. You can question as much as

you want, it is offside. I think Hanbury said, I was tackled in EF.

He was not. He was competing for the ball and making it difficult for

Hanbury and he picked up the ball in an offside position and

unfortunately for Widnes, that is the correct decision. Did well. He

pulled wide because Sandow came across and his chase was first class

and he contested the ball and if you are up there contesting, things

happen. Kurt Gidley, very much the man for

the big occasion. Over 250 NRL appearances. 12 Australian caps. A

former New South Wales captain. As occasions go, this is pretty big. If

he puts this one over, Warrington might have one foot in the Challenge

Cup semifinal and he has. Normally, eminently kickable from that

position but under these conditions, maybe a little tougher. But

nerveless from Gidley and Warrington lead 20-18. It is the correct

decision as demonstrated by James Childs, there is still a good six

minutes left and that is a pretty good kick. Well done, well held. Did

well there. Once spilled ball can change the whole complexion again.

One chance, and there is another chance in this game. Six minutes to

go and that was nearly an opportunity. Six minutes to go so

Widnes will at least get the ball back four times. Warrington want to

get away from their end as quickly as possible. Here comes Hughes. It

is interesting in this half, Warrington have really made those

dummy half runs and it has altered the complexity of the game. It has.

They have two runners on, Dwyer, Clark, they have all donated. They

have got the yardage. Virtually caught up, the Widnes total. And

they were way behind. They were, it certainly turned the game and that

was a good kick from Gidley to manage the game. Warrington fans in

fine voice at the moment, hoping to draw their side home from this

position. The clock has been stopped. REFEREE: Make sure you set

up properly. Out they come. This is where they tackle, for their cup

lives. Making sure they make every tackle count. You front-load your

energy to restrict yardage, you really do. A sturdy carry by Houston

but nothing spectacular. Five minutes to play. Three tackles in

this set. Leuluai spun down. Inside ball, Dudson pops it back up again,

another off-load from the Welshman. Runciman with the step. Evans

gathers him up, with the help of two others, gathers it in. Brown, 40

metres out, gets a kick away, potential of offside for the

chasers. They kept a hold in the end. Sandow looking for the penalty.

Not given. This is where Widnes need to invest a bit of energy in their

defensive line speed. It is very tough, this 70 odd minutes gone.

Ryan Bailey. Exciting moments for young and old alike as Sandow gets

the kick away downfield and again, a really efficient kick that winds the

clock down a bit more and winds Widnes up a bit more. They will jog

it to the scrum to try to the stock clocks. A clever kick from Sandow,

just over the sideline, run the clock down and get their defensive

line set. It has been a great cup match. By the way, you had the

responsibility of picking man of the match so get your thinking caps on

together. Come up with a decision soon is the message from down below!

Plenty of candidates. There is. Patrick Ah Van, there might be a

much winner yet. There might be a man of the match.

They still have tackles in the bag, Widnes. Brown is brought back on the