Semi-Final: Wigan v Salford Rugby League: Challenge Cup

Four seconds to go... And he has scored! Ahaz Dunnett! It is

absolutely unbelievable. He's going all the way, what a try!

That is a sensational try. Wigan, who can beat them?

A wonderful try! Superb! They have created history.

Yes, it is Salford's big day, their first Challenge Cup semifinal since

1998 and in their racks today for the first time, they have their new

signing, the beast, New Zealand's Manu Vatuvei, but there is no Robert

Lui. Their opponents are formidable. Wigan Warriors have won the

Challenge Cup a record 19 times, including an unprecedented eight in

a row in the 1990s, and they have some pretty big names of their own.

Welcome to the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington. And don't by

John Wilkin, Jamie Peacock and Salford born Wigan legend, now

Widnes coach Dennis Batts. John, either its been very sunny in St

Helens or our make-up artist went a bit overboard on the bronzer on you!

You are looking very healthy. Thank you very much! I have been back to

Hull for a few days. Just excited to be here. Nice weather. This is a

huge game for Salford. Define themselves in a semifinal. Exactly.

Salford have shown an aspiration to get to the big games. They are going

in the right direction. That said, the last few months have been a

difficult spell for Salford. They are coming to this game not in the

kind of form they would like to be in. That is where today becomes

interesting. Wigan have the pedigree and big-game experience. Salford are

saying all the right things, but have been struggling. They have had

a dip in form. Is this game possibly the reason for it, they have had an

eye on that? Possibly. If you look at Wigan's form this year you see

where they are. You see what it means to them. You come into this

with the mentality of putting yourself in an uncomfortable

position and you have to want to win more than the opposition. Wigan are

used to winning trophies. Yeah, but I think the pressure comes from

within. They have good coaching staff and that internal pressure to

be the best. Well, this game has got quite something to live up to. We

had an absolute cracker yesterday as Hull took on leads. Let's go back

through the highlights with the help of Danny McGuire.

COMMENTATOR: And here comes the final tackle. Yes! Now it comes to

Kelly. Look at that gap! Listen, we are doing well here. We are in a

good position. We have spoken about Kelly all week. You cannot knock

off. Watkins comes in, grabs it. I'll! Wormhole.

Ryan hall. Kelly again. There are going over the line.

But Kelly with the catch, and absolutely miraculous pass away.

Final play of the set. Absolutely terrific! Plenty of time

for Hull to try and create something, and driven away and

scored! He has deserved that for his performance today. Watkins puts the

kick in. Jamie Shaw is on his way! It is a beautiful try, a beautiful

moment that is taking Hull back to that beautiful place. Wembley, here

they come. And there is Scott Taylor. Golding picks it up, and he

will find his way to the try line. This party has already begun. What a

performance, especially in the second half.

Denis Betts, just how good were Hull yesterday? They were good, weren't

they? They stick to their game plan. They looked like a side that had too

much quality. They were confident. Two heavyweights, and one of them

just got over the top. Hull were just too good. They got peppered a

bit early on. They were hit by Leeds, but they came through that.

We talk about sticking to a game plan. Why is that so important and

why is it so difficult? In big games, it gives you something to

fall back on. There are underlying characteristics to how you play the

game which are fallback mechanism in big games. Leeds looked threatening

but ultimately didn't have the structure to break Hull down. Hull's

game plan was simple - to run as hard as they can up the middle of

the field, get as far down as they can and put pressure on with the

kicking game. And that was what they did. They did an exceptional job.

That is discipline. It is a great trait for a big site. Can Leeds go

on from this and win the Grand Final? By their first 35 minutes,

yeah, they can. But with half an hour to go, I was looking at their

body language and I thought, these boys think they have lost already.

Well, let's look forward to today's game. This is where these two teams

sit in the table. One of those key players is their

England full-back, Sam Tomkins. He is back after his stint in the NRL.

Today he will play alongside his big brother Joel, and opposite his

little brother Logan, who left Wigan for Salford.

We are all individuals. We are all very different characters with

different interests. The only similarity is that we all play

rugby. When these two are fighting, I get battered from both directions.

Logan was mum's favourite. She gave him hugs and kisses. I didn't like

rugby as a kid because I was dragged to every away game on a Sunday

morning to watch these two. Tomkins, finding a gap and suddenly there is

open space. Joel Tomkins, back to the middle! It is one of the great

Wembley tries! Tomkins junior and Tomkins senior. It was a great

achievement for us and it was nice that me and Sam were both involved

in the try. Sam likes to claim more credit than he deserves. I clearly

did all the hard work and manage to give it a jolt. He just had to

stroll over and put it down. That is the most difficult part of having

brothers playing the same sport. You get compared to one another. It is

difficult to compare us. Sam has had massive amounts of success. From an

early age, Joel was big and tall, I was short and skinny and Logan was

about 100 kilos when he was 11. It was quickly apparent that we were

all going to play different positions. After the first year, I

was constantly asked whether I was going to be as good as my brothers.

Now they have stopped asking. Wigan were not going to renew my contract

and they agreed I was not going to further myself at Wigan. It was a

completely different challenge going to Salford. Each week, I felt like I

was improving just because I was getting more game time. So it was

necessary, but tough. He's playing better rugby now than he ever did at

Wigan. That is probably because his role is different at Salford, which

suits him. I have seen a massive improvement in him since he has gone

to Salford. My mum and dad were massive Wigan

fans. Now they are Salford and Wigan fans. I don't know where their

loyalties will live this weekend. I think they are happy we are playing

in the semi. Manu Vatuvei is a brilliant signing for Salford. I

wish it was later in the season. He is dangerous. He is massive and

fast. The fact that Salford have not been there for so long will make us

hungrier. If we play our own game, we will be hard to come up against.

At Wigan, you expect to win trophies. Salford have not won

anything for a while, but the best team will be going to Wembley. Well,

I think Logan will get the biggest cheer. The Salford fans behind us

are making a deafening noise as their team come out to warm up. It

is great for the parents that they know they are going to Wembley, but

watching must be agony. Well, they certainly got the cheapest train

tickets, because they booked them straightaway. But all three are very

different players. But they are all fighters and will fight for

everything. Denis, they have the big games back -- they have the big guns

back now, Wigan. Are you seeing them click, particularly in attack? We

saw them against Leeds a couple of weeks ago. Sam has been a long time

out this season. He's just starting to get his rhythm. I think Wigan

have some fantastic big-game players. They want to step up. That

is the challenge. You look to the Salford side and see the

inexperience. They have some good players, but they lack the big-game

players with experience. As Denis said, a lot of the players have been

out for some time. Against Leeds, did you see those combinations start

to come? Not just against Leeds. I think it has been building for

Wigan. The more consistent you get your key players in your side, the

better. For me, one of the star players is George Williams. Wigan at

their worst just toss George Williams the ball and expect

something. Here, they passed the ball to Sam Tomkins to create

opportunities for Wigan. This is what George Williams does all day.

He threatens with his running game. But when you have the might of Sam

Tomkins around, it makes it easier. George has quality players around

him. He is a wonderful player and he will be a real feature in this game

today. Loss of individuality, but when a team clicks, it is because

everybody has spent time together. Wigan have started to get a bit of

flow. But the flow of Salford has been good. They have played well all

year. Jon, take us through the Wigan team. Sam Tomkins is hugely

important for Wigan, with his experience.

So what will be the Wigan game plan? Let's go down to Robbie. One of the

big things we have been talking about is how so many of the great

players are coming back with his Wigan squad. We have been thinking

about the spine of their team, Sam Tomkins, George Williams. Those guys

have experience, but what makes this Wigan team so successful is the

ability to control the speed. One guy I want to have a look at is big

Frank Lisala. He is a powerhouse for them. When he does his job, he gets

on top defensively. Sean O'Loughlin is another player they will look to.

His experience is so important. John, can I have a quick word? How

important is it for you to play in a team with Wigan having such a long

history in the Challenge Cup? It's fantastic, mate. Everyone talks

about just wanted to go out and do it. Great win against Leeds last

week. Was that good preparation for the game today? It gave us

confidence, obviously. Hopefully, we can pull it all together this week.

Good luck. Let's hear from the two coaches.

The big hitters are back and you are running into a bit of form. We are

doing OK. We have not played really well this year. Hopefully, we can

put a few things together and be more consistent in our attack. Our

defence was good last week, but we can improve. What sort of challenge

do you expect from Salford? They have a great season but are in a

poor run of form. Yeah, but they have talent. They are obviously

earmarking this game to get back on track, and we need to be ready for

that. How close was Robert Lui and how big loss was he? He was really

sore, so we had a discussion and felt it was an invite to go with

somebody who was fully fit to play the game. But he has been

influential force all season, but we have players who can stand up and be

counted. You have an exciting new addition in Vatuvei. Yeah, he is a

big one with the leadership he gives us. His experience will be what we

have been lacking. What it with the transformation at Salford? Last

year, you were battling and now you are in the cup semifinal. The boys

want to be successful. And we will be if we continue in the same vein

as we are doing. It is about making sure we have a belief in ourselves.

How do you beat Wigan? They have threats all of the field and we have

to pose are and threats. Let them worry about us. Jon, take us through

the Salford line-up. Robbie is down among the big guys.

He has Salford's game plan. When we think about the Red Devils, what I

have from an X Factor point of view is that they have real power, and

none more so than the man of the moment, one of the most high profile

players in the sport, Manu Vatuvei, just bought from the New Zealand

Warriors a week and a half ago. But he has arrived with six. He will

shatter defensive lines. Alongside him is the blond headed south sea

island, junior Sa'u, another power player. Another guy to keep your eye

on is this guy, Murdoch-Masila. He is a tough character when he has the

ball in hand. He is also a tough person to tackle and generally

scores tries for fun. Michael Dobson will be task with the job of leading

around the field, but Todd Carney has the X Factor and I want to have

a quick conversation with you. How great for you. You have been a New

Zealand International. How great experience a Wembley final? It is

great occasion. We are 80 minutes away from the big one in Wembley. It

is what dreams are made of. We want to play some good footy. These

amazing supporters, how important is it to them? Last year, it was the

same thing. It is going to be it for us and if we get the win, it will be

for the fans too. Yeah, Salford fans are definitely very much up for

this. Much of the build-up talk has been about the beast, Manu Vatuvei.

What does he bring to this? There are two sides to him. He is an

explosive finish, but he is also a player who can make mistakes when

under pressure. It is a gamble for me for Salford to play him. We can

see his quality here, carrying the ball. But it is the flip side of his

game that worries me. When I watch Manu Vatuvei, I think of the past.

We want to kick the ball to him in uncomfortable positions and it will

be interesting to see how he deals with that. He has not played all

year. It is a massive risk. He is a big game player, though. Dobson must

be thanking his lucky stars he has Junior Sa'u, Vatuvei and Jones. And

Tyrone McCarthy? He does all the tidy things. Tyrone McCarthy has

been brought in to be really tidy. There are some great players on the

Salford side. Murdoch-Masila is one of them. He is a powerful runner. He

can get one-on-one with defenders. He has pure strength. When you are

defending at three in, when you have a man that big and fast running at

you and changing his line that quickly, it is very hard to deal

with. What we see here is the influence of that line-up on

defences. Yeah, there is a collateral benefit around every

player around Murdoch-Masila. He attracts attention. Therefore, you

get more space around the back of him. He wants the ball, he wants

conflict. You can watch that clip all week in the video room and you

will see him do that a few times. That is a difficult player to stop.

That is the key battle. Willie Isa could neutralise him. We have to

shut you up, because they actually want to come and play! Less join the

commentary box and the BBC's rugby league correspondent Dave Woods.

Sean O'Loughlin and his opposite number Michael Dobson. It will be a

great noise when they come out. There has been a rattling noise

inside this stadium for an hour already in anticipation of this. And

here they come. Wigan against Salford, great expectations against

the tales of the unexpected. Wigan are one of English rugby league's

classic stories, 19 times cup winners. But can Salford today

producing memorable twist in that tale, aiming for their first

Challenge Cup final since 1969? The last time they were in a semifinal

was 1998. They have their hearts broken by Sheffield vehicles, who

went on to break the hearts of Wigan in the final in one of the most

memorable Challenge Cup finals of all time. And we already know that

Hull are the. So who is going to join them? Iain Watson on the right.

Sam Tomkins is looking reasonably relaxed and comfortable. So let's

remind ourselves of how they are lining up.

Salford are missing Robert Lui, but replacing him is Carney, the Aussie

international with undoubted superstar quality.

The Beast has arrived, but with what kind of impact? Here we go. The

match underway. Wigan, first touch of the ball. Instantly, looking for

one of their big men in Nu'uausala. Look at that from the Salford

defence straightaway. Matching them up front and pushing them backwards.

The Salford fans at the end Wigan are defending are in roaring good

mood. What a start for Salford's defensive attitude from the

beginning. I was about to say, I hope this game is as good as

yesterday. It started well. The Salford men straight into Wigan.

Wigan tried to move the ball birth. Not what you expect. What a start

for Salford. They moved it back into the big man.

Here comes Salford, first attack of the afternoon for them. Junior Sa'u.

Logan Tomkins. Salford, less than five away. Tackles in the bag. Ten

yards out. Twist and turn from Weller Hauraki. Last play, the

defence comes out quickly. The ball is put in but Sam Tomkins is able to

pick it up and Wigan will be very, very pleased with the end result.

Well defended, Wigan. First test of the afternoon. Today is as much

about holding your nerve. In the pre-match build-up, they asked if

Salford would choke with the inexperience. But they have four or

five internationals. But the experience is on this Wigan side.

Yes, the volatility of performance shouldn't be there but strange

things happen in big games. Getting away with it quickly.

Anthony Geller Inc with a wonderful pass. Tom Davies with the finish. No

try from the video referee. Looking to the corner to make sure he stays

in the field of play and doesn't go into touch when he's grounding the

ball. He is in the field of play. Pause it there. I don't need to see

any more. His thought is on the touchline so it is no try. It will

be a scrum. Salford ball. First bit of pressure. Anthony Gelling has the

ball in one hand. Tough position for a winger to be in. He had to stop

the ball. Full credit to Anthony Gelling because that is a superb

centre play. He has dropped it. Getting high-fives from his

team-mates. Defensive scrutiny. Drop the ball and got some claret around

the face as well. The phrase, rucks and diamonds has followed him

throughout his career, Manu Vatuvei. On that try that wasn't given, Wigan

scored an identical try like that against Leeds last week. Anthony

Gelling is a handful. He is big so gets his arms free the majority of

the times. He can find the off-loads. It is hard to be

critical. The most critters as you can put on him is he didn't stop the

ball. He will always be a threat. When somebody can do that and repeat

the process, Calum Watkins, Mike Perceval and Anthony Gelling, makes

them a real asset in the game. Here comes Williams.

Willie Isa is backing in. Michael Mcllorum, three to his left, but

they are set up to his right. There is Davis. Forward pass. Called it

early, the referee. Tom Davies might have been on a hat-trick, instead he

hasn't got any tries so far. Might be a question over the Salford team

today, I think they will score points, it is whether they can

handle this kind of play from Wigan. Josh Jones's back row has got to do

a huge job. He has got to help Michael Dobson and Junior Sa'u. That

should be tried there from Wigan. Manu Vatuvei, they were waiting for

him. He will be back for a little bit more. Kris Welham has faded in

the Challenge Cup final for Hull Kingston Rovers a few years ago.

Craig Kopczak, the Welsh international. Logan Tomkins, Todd

Carney to his right hand side. It is a pass to Greg Johnson. Searching

for a bit of space down the middle. Todd Carney is happy to put the ball

out of play and they have put a Wigan back inside their own 20. The

Salford, the combination between Michael Dobson and Todd Carney, Rob

Lui plays that role much better. Dobson wants his hands on the ball

so satisfying their needs within the Salford game plan will be important.

Couple of smart touches from Todd Carney. He is instinctively the

first receiver and it is a challenge for him to play second fiddle. Just

to reinforce back, they're both kicked the ball very well. That will

be important. Salford have hammered away at the

Wigan line. Michael Mcllorum going out again.

Oliver Gildart, stylish centre. Salford defending back on their own

line at the moment. They have one play left, Wigan. Williams carries

it and they have got the numbers. Oliver Gildart is over! Oliver

Gildart claims the first try of the afternoon. Wigan finally get over

the line legitimately. This is a trifle George Williams, even though

it is Oliver Gildart that goes over. Williams strips the Salford defence.

They were expecting a kick. This is the penalty that gave Wigan the

field position. Good ball set from Wigan and be tested Salford. They

were expecting a kick. The Wigan in the centre was waiting for the kick

behind. It never came and as a result, Willie Isa found space and

Oliver Gildart found space and it is a try for Wigan. Wigan have had the

best of the opening exchanges here. This has been a weak link in Wigan's

armoury this year. Not been as good as it can be all of the time.

Commentator's curse. Williams shows no problems in putting bat over.

There have been days when he has been absolutely spot on. It is hard

to defend. Oliver Gildart went on loan to

Salford. As part of his breakthrough into senior rugby league. He looks a

real star in the handful of games he played there and I think he's got

his first try at Salford as well. Today he scores against them.

Nu'uausala, isn't going to miss. Frank-Paul Nuuausala our love. They

have nibbled away inside the Salford half, but they are on the last. They

have crossed the line. It is an effective kick plan. Hull did it

yesterday. Tom Briscoe is a running threat, kick it in the air to him.

He is like a snorting bowl manner that about, when he gets going. --

Manu Vatuvei. The red button forum after we have

finished here. As we always remind you. The 26th of August, Challenge

Cup final. Here is Sam Tomkins making the break. Looked on the

inside. I think Davies was claiming he was hampered. The referee says

play on. Look at Wigan again, putting the fear of life into

Salford's defence and they hang onto long and it is a penalty in front of

the sticks. They would be tempted to play on, they are rucking here

Salford. It is all too quick for Salford, they wanted to defend.

Michael Mcllorum is having an influence on this game. The ruck is

too quick and unorganised. Sam Tomkins is all over that sort of

stuff and then recede John Bateman carrying on. Metres of speed from

this Wigan side. George Williams, sign the new deal

at Wigan a couple of months ago. Adds another two.

They are winning the ruck, Wigan. The defence can't organise and there

are running opportunities in and around the ruck. Apart from the

opening set of six, most of the game has been played inside or close to

the Salford half. You can see the amount of possession Wigan have had.

And where they have had it, as well. Williams, leaves it to Joe Burgess,

who is on the gallop again. Salford needing to stem the flow. Williams,

again. Loses his shorts, but not his balance. Inside for Tamme Tomkins.

Craig Kopczak is clutching at the ball. It is a gift and Salford needs

back give. They need to breed. They need the first aid is out there,

with some oxygen. -- breathe. Logan Tomkins and here comes Junior

Sa'u. Logan Tomkins. Todd Carney. Johnson has to stand and wait for

the ball to hit him in the chest. Just less than 40 away. Dobson.

Michael Mcllorum. He is not going to let go. Todd Carney, get a kick of

sorts away. But it is taken on by Tom Davies. The advancing Salford

defence, not quite doing their job as efficiently as they would have

liked. Little bit scruffy. They haven't had the ball. Wigan gave it

to them with the break from Sam Tomkins. Dobson was caught by a

fabulous tackle by Michael McIlorum. Couldn't play the kick he wanted.

John Bateman. Todd Carney, can't keep old. Look at John Bateman go.

There is an essence to Salford's body language at the moment which

suggests fatigue. Concession of the drop out.

Exceptional five or ten minutes from Wigan. They have played with speed

with the ball. Loads of dummy half running. Then to build pressure with

a kick like that at the end of a sat. Rugby is a commodity in rugby

league, you can't get it back. Salford have spoken about the motion

of the occasion, the fact they are in the semifinal. That burns energy

at the start. Salford need to roll their sleeves up, dig their way out

of this one. Williams with a quick pass. Willie

Isa steps away. There is no point in chasing, Willie Isa has already

found his way over the line. Wigan's 's second try and boy, are they

already bossing the semifinal? Wigan look sharp and incisive. The quality

of their passing and skills is the reason why they created that space.

This is a classic drive from Wigan. They play flat and square and they

put the tired defenders Ben Murdoch-Masila has a decision to

make gamblers play. The hard work was done. Repeat set from Wigan.

Little bit of pressure changes things, but sustained pressure

kills. The past is to Willie Isa, he couldn't believe he was in as much

space as he was. I think Todd Carney has got in front of the line trying

to solve a problem that wasn't there yet. The position of skill and

passing from Wigan. Williams with the kick. Knocks it wide this time.

Discipline and game management is important for the Red Devils now.

They have been giving away penalties.

Willie Isa, potential Wembley day for him. He has already had one

Wembley day with his girlfriend, plays for the Liverpool ladies.

McIlorum at speed again. Picks up from dummy half.

Where is it going? Up in the air in the general direction of the beast.

Here he is. Catches it cleanly and that is when he is a bit of a

handful. The kick was a bit too deep. The chasing pack couldn't get

there. Logan Tomkins. You have got to hold

your nerve with this aggressive Wigan defence. They need this,

Salford. Give them a chance to collect their thoughts, get into the

game and get a feel position here. Generally got to hold John Earp with

Wigan. Pretty methodical at the moment. This is an opportunity now.

Get some oxygen in their lungs. Here comes Dobson.

Manu Vatuvei, taking it in. Logan Tomkins back towards Dobson again.

Todd Carney Get Involved. Untidy, but back it comes. Dobson

again. Twist and a turn. George Griffin on the. Last play. Last play

of the sat. Salford desperate for something and be will try for dummy

half. Maybe a little too slow. Wigan's defence got down and Wigan

have it back on their own line. He should have gone. That was poor. In

the clips before the game we showed Salford burning on the right-hand

side. In this situation, they tried it. Three or four men hit him and

those players, you have got to catch teams having a bad day defensively

and Wigan have the intent to defend those plays really well. Sam Powell

is on the field for Wigan. Operating out of dummy half. Whipped across

the line. This is so far, so good from Salford's defence. Here comes

Oliver Gildart. Grabbing a few extra yards. Not a bad set from Salford,

restricting Wigan. Williams finds the gap. Changes his mind. This cake

might be aiming towards the 40, 20. Manu Vatuvei, he will have another

go. It takes two of them to finally stop him in his truck.

The referee has moved it another ten yards downfield. You can't say

anything, keep your mouth shut. Couple of penalties will let Salford

breathe. This is an opportunity for Salford to get a fold in the game.

They look more energised and refreshed from just having the ball

for a period of time. George Griffin, the potential of being up

against his brother, Josh. Playing for Hull, started the game

yesterday. Josh Jones... Almost finding a route

through those Wigan defenders. Gets another penalty. Six tackles. I

think this is where we will see their prowess.

And it is Greg Johnson on the right wing that will score in the corner.

Get Salford on the board and get Salford motoring in this semifinal.

That is the power of Ben Murdoch-Masila. Not usually affected

with the ball and hasn't had a lot of of possession. But how

aggressively he runs at the third defender. Makes these kinds of play

is very effective. Penalty here. The last five minutes, a few penalties

have allowed Salford to get back into this game. It has given them

the energy to breathe. This is where they have been good all year. They

restrict the Wigan numbers. Dobson did a great job. Stopped the Wigan

defence and it was almost the two man overlap at the end. Ben

Murdoch-Masila, huge asset for Salford. Michael Dobson, himself

spends a year at Wigan about ten, 11 years ago. Looking to narrow the gap

to just one score. Difficult kick from the touchline. Measured that

really well. 12/6 and there are 16 minutes of the half remaining. Three

penalties on the bounce and then we see the scale of Dobson and Todd

Carney going at the line. They execute really well. Sustained

pressure from Salford and they created the opportunity and be back

in this game. They have had the worst of it, they looked flat ten

minutes ago. But they are back in this Challenge Cup semifinal. They

will have to do it again. Scooping it high, Joe Burgess. Look

at the spin as it comes down. Johnson has a bit of space in which

to run. Watch him go. Dobson was trying to get up with him. Tomkins

makes a good tackle but Salford are off again. Dobson collect. Jones do

his life but two tackles have taken Salford less than 30 away from

Wigan's line again. 20 metres away. Logan Tomkins. Waiting for this

play. Todd Carney... Here is Ben Murdoch-Masila. Todd Carney. Back to

Dobson. I think they got there. I think they have got that. Junior

Sa'u is certain he got there. Tyrone McCarthy, wasn't far away either.

The referee will ask the question. Is this back-to-back tries? Has he

given a decision on the field, what he thinks it is? I need to check

from the kick to make sure the players are onside, first of all. We

have a player who is in front of the kicker. We have two players, one to

the right. We have to make sure he is ten away. He doesn't get involved

in that. Can we go back then now. I have ruled that player is out of

play, so he's not interfering. I need the grounding. Slow this down.

Who's left hand is that? I have got to make sure. I need to make sure

that as a Salford hand and not the hand of Thomas Leuluai. It looks

like it is grounded. If we just take it back, it is not Leuluai's hand.

That looks to be the Salford man's left-hand. Do we have another angle

on this? Slow it down. That is the Salford man's hand, and much

evidence I'm going to go with a try. It is still a try. That's a try.

Well, we were talking in the build-up about Manu Vatuvei and

whether he could make a difference. It's the other debutant, Tyrone

McCarthy. Virtually his first act as a Salford player, and he scores a

huge try in this semifinal that in a moment or so could see Salford back

level again. What a way to start! There's a crowd you. -- there's a

crowd pleaser for you. The stadium is full of fervour, and

the Salford fans are providing the enthusiasm at the moment. Great

piece of play. Great touch from Dobson. Wigan were not expecting the

kick. The Wigan fans are happy. Tyrone McCarthy already has a story.

He played in 2015 in the Challenge Cup final. But the big story was in

2009, when he had only his third first-team appearance and picked up

a winner's medal. But here he is, very much a star for Salford. From

the last kick off, they didn't have an organised defensive line, and

Johnson was gone. A bit of an injury here on somebody. But great tackle

from Sam Tomkins. All these great bits of rugby league football were

taking place before the special play we saw. The key to Salford getting

back into this game is purely having the ball in hand. That was the third

man coming into the tackle to pull the bigger men to the ground. The

Salford fans are not happy with that. But it looks relatively

innocuous. Salford have got the ball back in hand, and that has been

crucial for them. All year, they have been exceptional with the ball

in hand. They need to keep them all away from which as much as possible.

There has been an element of ill discipline from Wigan. They were

talking to the referee. Before they got those penalties, Wigan's energy

was gone. It shows how you can change the flow of a game. Energy

comes and goes, and when you are playing in these big games, you just

have to find your energy from somewhere. Salford have found that

through ill discipline and once you have got that energy, it's such a

precious resource. You have got to keep hold of it. Salford, at the end

of the field, are pretty disciplined. The challenge is for

Salford to defend. Well, it here. -- it is not looking good for that

player. A decision has to be made. In the game, you have got to be

careful. Great start by Wigan. Fantastic

response by Salford. It is a 40-20 attempt, and he's nailed it. Tom

Carney nails it. Suddenly, his star is rising full.

From being 12-0 up, Wigan have not touched the ball, and they are in

danger of conceding again here. Good from Salford here. They are

being patient. They are finding short kicks. They have got some

units out there. That was desperate defence from Wigan. Two great short

kicks. A massive play in a big game. That is what Todd Carney is in the

team for. Oh! Tyrone McCarthy. I don't think

he was as confident this time. No try. REFEREE: from the kick, we need

to make sure a player is on site. So pause it on the foot. Everybody

is onside there, so I am happy to play from there. No try on the

field. Definitely lost the ball. Does

Tompkins interfere with him? Can we just go through to this? They can

run shoulder by shoulder. That's fine. Tompkins can't grab hold of

him. He's got contact with him beforehand. Can I have a look at the

angle before, please? Tompkins may interfere with him first. He can't

grab hold of him like that. That is going to be no try, James. And it is

going to be a Salford, ten metres out. Way to do this. So one side is

not happy and the other side is. But when the referee does this, it all

changes the emotions. And Sam Tomkins is sin-binned. What?!

Tomkins is off for the next ten minutes. Professional foul. That was

the decision. I thought that was harsh. Tomkins has to compete for

the ball. That is a natural part of the game. That said, once he has

given it as a professional foul, he has tried to pull it back. If

McCarthy catches the ball, he has to tackle him. That is a harsh decision

for me. Anyway, let's get on with the game. Dobson puts it over. In

the last seven minutes, Wigan haven't touched the ball. They have

conceded two tries. They have lost the lead and they have lost a

Tomkins. It has not gone well. Thou are having a bad seven minutes!

I would like to see that at normal speed. It's disappointing. Even a

penalty, maybe. But he catches the ball, McCarthy. He has got every

right to grab hold of him and keep the ball lots to his body. It's done

now. The next job for Wigan is to defend.

And we know Wigan will respond, because we have seen what they are

capable of. Full credit to Salford's attitude and pedigree. Penalty for

Salford again. Credit to Salford here. They are really making Wigan

be accountable with the defence. They are testing Wigan, moving the

ball. They are really challenging Wigan to defend well. There was

nothing aggressive about this. That came from Salford challenging Wigan

to do the right things defensively. There is a salutary lesson in this

for Wigan. Don't give Salford the ball for nothing. They have given

the ball too easily in the last nine minutes. To use a snooker analogy,

it's like missing a red and then sitting back in the chair for 20

minutes while your opponent pots everything on the table. Wigan have

been starved of possession. Behind it goes to the man of the

moment, Tyrone McCarthy. Kick it in his direction, and anything can

happen. Wigan's best player of the nine

minutes. Full credit to Salford. They have been given a leg up, and

they have taken it. Absolutely. They have maximised the damage they have

caught this Wigan side to being clinical the ball. The territory and

possession have completely flipped in Salford's favour.

Wigan will relish having the ball in their hands. They are a man down, of

course. That is what the ball gives you, energy to defend like that.

Look at Salford now. The Tomkins family is still well

represented out there, two thirds of them.

Good chase by Wigan. John Bateman is a thoroughbred when it comes to

attitude. Carney and Dobson have certainly got

their act together. A lot of the success Salford has had has been

through those two. That kick was well taken. There have

been loads of talking points already in this game, but if you want your

say, join us on the red button. Or get in touch via Twitter and other

social media. And it's a winner. Penalty winner. A chance to put

themselves inside their opponents' half. They are having a direct

influence on this game, penalties. We saw in yesterday's tied us how

important scores before the break can be. And how much of a lift it

would give Wigan if they could push themselves back ahead.

Still two or three tackles to come here.

The Wigan chaser was offside. So the penalty goes Salford's way. Burgess

has got in front of Williams. It is the little things. Big momentum

change. The referee says play on. The

referee says another six tackles. That is a penalty. Too much

wrestling going on for McCarthy after the tackle was complete.

So five tackles from here. Our Wigan poised to strike? One part of their

armoury is missing, which Tomkins on the sideline at the moment in the

sin-bin, but plenty more weapons out there. Williams could be pivotal.

Williams can't keep hold. And in the end, it is defused.

Salford are happy defending their own line. Tyrone McCarthy, just

having a word with the referee to get as much time as possible for his

team-mates to get a bit of oxygen back in their lungs ahead of this

next 38 seconds of defence, all things being equal. This will be a

test. That's a great kick from Williams. That might be it. Wigan

want to stop the clock. Watching the replay, the referee has stopped the

clock with one second to go. A one player wonder. Have you got a scrum

player up your sleeve for moments like this? My guess is that they are

going to go down the blindside here. But it's only a guess. They are

going down the blindside. Out of play on the far side. What they

first half. A curate's egg of a first half. Terrific stuff from both

sides, and a story still to be told. Let's hear from Sean O'Loughlin.

Sean, how have Salford got back into the game after a great start by your

players? I thought Salford had a great start, and we got back and

then they got on top of us. We have done well to hang on. Michael

Dobson, the Salford skipper, is with us. Terrific stuff from Salford, and

you got back in it. Yeah, we came back and absorbed their pressure. We

will have to do the same in the second half. What is going to win it

for you in the second half? More of the same, defence. Just absorb the

pressure they throw at us and come out on top. Good luck.

STUDIO: Well, I know it's a cliche, but that was a half of two halves!

Wigan started exceptionally well. They worked the ball quickly, put

Salford under pressure. That said, Salford hung in there. If you

penalties, a few great kicks and then they came right back in. What a

great game. They are aggressive off the line. They are really punching

hard against each other. I thought Todd Carney's kicking game made a

massive difference. And you can see Wigan's experience from the first 20

minutes. They were just focused on their game plan and how to win.

Let's have a look at the action. Salford did start like a house on

fire, but after a couple of attempts, Wigan scored first. It's a

fantastic play here. Williams does a great job.

It is a simple play. I thought this was a smart piece of execution from

Wigan. Anywhere you look here as well, Todd Carney is trying to make

up for the error he just made defensively. That is Wigan at their

best. At that point, you two were saying Salford were out for the

count. How do they get back in a? Energy is a strange thing. They find

their rhythm and get a score, and then you are not tired any more. It

is not about fitness, it is about how the game is flowing. You could

see them creating the space we were talking about earlier. Carney and

Dobson became more influential within the game as Salford got more

ball. There are not renowned as defenders. Exactly. They want to

starve Wigan possession, and that was what they did. Against good

teams, if you make mistakes, you might not see the ball against the

20 minutes, and that was what happened for Wigan. A couple of

penalties, great shot kick off Dobson, 20 minutes has gone and all

of a sudden the game has completely changed. A lot of sides would have

conceded. It is a semifinal, there is a lot at stake. How much does it

matter? We can see that it matters. Salford found their rhythm. Field

position is key to the game. Murdoch-Masila is going to carry

four people. And you could see that try just lift them. It did. They got

back tries, which is not what you like to see in rugby league. Once

you have one, you want to defend it. Johnson is a powerful athlete. And a

great tackle from Sam Tomkins. This was an outstanding kick from Dobson.

It is a tough one for the video referee here. But Salford get it

because they have got momentum. Do not give a side that chance. That is

why although the kick-off was great, it was a short kick-off. I think,

just pump that into the corner and the Wigan defence should have got

that to Salford. But they didn't. It really change the momentum of the

game. Lagat Ian Watson here. He will be really happy with the situation,

because they have got themselves back in the game. He will be talking

to field position. Do you think they have surprised Wigan with the way

they came back? No, they are a good side. They are not in the top four

for no reason. They have been consistently good. There is quality

in that side and they have belief in what they are doing. We saw the best

and worst of Salford. When they had the ball in hand, they really tested

Wigan out. Wigan will be tired in the dressing room, because Salford

have really challenged them. There have been a couple of controversial

incidents. You have been getting in touch with us. The man in at the

knees, instant yellow card, surely? Says one viewer. Looking at him now,

he has hit him pretty low here. The referee has to send him off. I think

they have sin-binned the wrong Sam. They should have done it to Sam

Powell, not Sam Tomkins. For me, that is not a sending-off. Sam

Tomkins got sin-binned. Some said if he has been sin-binned, surely it is

a penalty try? I don't think you could guarantee that he was going to

bring the ball down. He is well within his rights. I think at full

speed, it is a competition to get to the ball. He has every right to

compete for that ball. It was a poor decision.

We have had a breathless first half, so much more sport to come on the

BBC. Tonight, there is a special documentary as Michael Johnson meets

the heroes of Super Saturday, probably the greatest night of

British athletics. That will hopefully whet your appetite for

this... London, are you ready?

Damian has been talking to a very interesting spectator. The Salford

owner has come to the touchline. I guess days like this, seasons like

this are why you came into rugby league? I always wanted to be on the

big stage. They don't come bigger than being in a semifinal against

Wigan. Exciting first half. I guess you could say it is two halves of

the first half of the game. Wigan dominated the first 20 minutes. We

came back and we took the lead in the last 20 and we deserve to be

there. It has been a fantastic season regardless of what happens

today? Regardless. If someone said to me what is your ambition for the

season, I would have said be competitive in the middle age. Now

we are in the semifinal of the Challenge Cup but also to be in the

top four of the Super League and the top North team. You brought a

fantastic following, ab out 5000 have come from Salford. How do you

get hold of them coming to home games? Hopefully performances like

the first half. If we go and win the game, I am sure we will be taking

something like 20,000 people down to Wembley. What will have to happen in

the second half, to get over the line and get the trip to Wembley in

August? That would be an absolute dream. It is the reward for how hard

the players have worked, how hard in Watson has worked. The players and

Ian Watson deserve the credit. I take no credit for it whatsoever. I

am the guy who just pays the bills and that is all. The people who

deserve the credit are Ian Watson and the players, regardless of what

happens today in the second half. We have done a fantastic job, they have

done a fantastic job and we will see what happens later on. The rain is

coming down, we will let you get some shelter. Cheers, mate. Your

eyebrows went up when he said they are top Northwest team, but they

are? They are now. They have a huge task to get out and keep in front of

this Wigan side. They have done a great job to be in this position.

The big games are to come. Salford have got to show what they are all

about. The second half will be the ability to defend penalties when

they are given against you. You have to be in the fight to win it and

Salford are in the fight. We might have the semifinals but the women

have the Challenge Cup final as we speak, Bradford Bulls women against

Featherstone Roby Rovers ladies. They are coming back to the second

half so we will let John go back to the commentary box.

We have had a proposal on the field at half-time, gentlemen popped the

question to a lady who said yes. She was wearing a Salford shirt, so I am

hoping she is very happy. Ryan Wilson wiped a tear from his

eye about the romance of it all. What about the romance of the pitch.

Sam Tomkins back out of the sin-bin and on the field. 13-13 in terms of

players on the field. 14-12 in terms of points on the board. We saw once

I come out in the second half and dominate yesterday. Hull were

dominant. I don't think that will happen. I think it will be nip and

tuck until the end. It is one of those clinging onto the edge of your

seat semifinals, potentially. If you are attached to one of the other, it

is going to be a very nervy 40 minutes because of the drama. What a

day this man is having so far, Tyrone McCarthy, try scorer on his

debut in a Challenge Cup semifinal. Ben Murdoch-Masila is going to cause

problems in the second half as well. Dobson.

Tomkins, out of dummy half. Dobson will kick on the sixth. Tomkins,

first job is to catch it. Which he did. Junior Sa'u, makes the tackle.

Sam Tomkins attempted a dummy play. I think Salford have been good in as

part of the field, defensively and with the ball. They will be hoping

to stay there and people like Dobson and Todd Carney can provide the

kicking Arsenal. It is up to Arsenal to do what they did, try and win the

ground. Joel Tomkins. Monks to the body is tackling him is little

brother, Logan, who rolls away. Oliver Gildart will take it on. That

is a great take from Nile Evalds. But his body on the line. Johnson

did well to get that ball out of the tackle as well.

Dobson will have to wear a crash helmet. Here he comes, Manu Vatuvei.

There is the shoulder. If Wigan do get to the final it will be against

Hull. Tomkins. Here he goes. Inside Burgess. Put the foot down. Look at

the pace. He is flying and Nile Evalds cannot catch him. Burgess

touches down. Did he lose it at the last moment? It looked like Nile

Evalds got a hand on the ball. So he caught him. Video referee again. We

will look at the grounding. He still has the ball in his possession. He

still has. He still got the ball. Now, is the ball in his hand when it

touches? He is short, it comes out there. It is short and the hand is

on the ball. Move it forward. Can I have a look at the side angle again

please, take it slowly. Frame by frame, the hand is on the ball. The

ball is short, the hand is now off and the ball is still short. Is that

hand totally off the ball? I cannot say conclusively it is. Slow again.

Frame by frame. He keeps the ball going, it is not a double movement.

Hand is off the ball. Do we have another angle on this, please? It is

short. I need sufficient evidence to rule the hand is. I haven't got

sufficient evidence to save the hand is of the ball will stop it you

can't just do that one, see if it is any good. See if this can help me

out. Again, I cannot see if the hand is of. So that angle is no good, it

has got to be the first angle on the side. It has got to be. Super zoom

it in, please, if you could. Slowed the side angle. I need sufficient

evidence to overrule. Too fast. Slow it down now. Still in his hand.

Still in his hand. Do this one again, does the hand come of the

ball. Slow it down now. That hand there is. I am going to go no try.

No try, James, the hand is off the ball on back shop there. Scrum.

No try. Burgess denied by that last, desperate, desperate tackle from

Niall Evalds. What a tackle. When Brian said nobody would catch on, I

was agreeing with you. But what Che is back from Niall levels. Massive

play in the context of the game. The referee thought it was a try.

Manu Vatuvei, bringing it out. Salford surviving with the two point

lead. Junior Sa'u. Tomkins. Salford hearts beating steadier, having

survived that scare. Jones, looking for the off-load,

finding it. Providing the energy and the platform. Dobson now will kick.

Tomkins will will be happy to see it go out of play. Let's see what was

said in the changing rooms. The Wigan coach said his players had

made a good start but they let the opposition back in. Return to what

we do well, get back to the process, was the message. Liam Watts is calm

at half-time. His message was simple, more of the same, please. --

Ian Watson. Wigan will get the ball back.

They have got a long way to go. Into a scrum, keep their energy levels

high. Good start from Wigan, to come out and create the opportunity.

Nearly taking it. Salford, Michael Dobson saying, let's calm this down,

get it into a structured routine. Awaited Tautai. He takes it in,

Tautai. Williams... Tomkins. Burgess. Bought he was on the

scoresheet, but denied. -- thought. We have reached the last play. 40

yards away. Again, they are going through hands. Tomkins. Oliver

Gildart but it into the arms of Junior Sa'u. Managed to keep himself

going. Smart play from Wigan. Twice in the second half. Salford wingers

have dropped off the end of the line to expect the kick.

Dobson, the Wigan back three are in place are looking to return. Here is

Tom Davies. Wigan sets, right in the middle.

Last play again. Now Evalds had nowhere to go. Really good kick from

George Williams, putting that pressure on. We are into the arm

muscle process in the second half. He will find a half-break, or a

crack that will build pressure. Great kick from George Williams.

That was from the Salford fans, back you draw. They want per slide to

defend the line. The Salford fans are cheering on

their team to defend the line. Wigan fans lifting their noise as well.

Great position here, Wigan. What can they make of this? Williams...

Taking off. John Bateman will take up the

mantle. Nu'uausala looking for anything that might provide him with

a glimmer of opportunity. Knocked on. Great defence from Salford.

Wigan really challenging Salford. Oliver Gildart with the ball in one

hand I was looking for John Burgess on the inside. Great ball from Sean

O'Loughlin. I would like a closer look back at that bounce back

because there is every chance that was a try. They will have their

complaints. Wigan, today, just as Leeds did

yesterday taking their part in a record equalling 47 Challenge Cup

semifinal. 1976, the last time they went any silverware and they won the

league that year. Salford have the edge. 1969 the last time Salford

were in the final. 1938, the last time they won the cup. Dribble it

into touch. A lot of tired boys on the field. All walking down to the

scrum. Nobody is in a particular rush. I think both sides have had a

great short kicking game. Fantastic contributions from all the

half-backs in that department. Don't forget the red button.

Hull against one of these on the 26th of August. One of the best

weekends of the year. It is anybody's at the moment. Here

comes Tautai. Met by some punishing Salford

shoulders. In that contact, Sean O'Loughlin has lost the ball.

Salford would get possession back. Is that the shift they needed? Now

they have an opportunity. Probably for the first time in the second

half. Once they have got some field position, they've got the ball in

hand, Dobson and Carney come to light, they start moving Wigan ran,

making them accountable. This is the opportunity Salford have been

waiting for. Just being content with building pressure and allowing the

steam to come out the game. This is Salford's opportunity. Manu Vatuvei

with the big carry in. Tasi, looked like he has lost the ball. That

didn't last long and Wigan will get the ball back again. Decent shoulder

contact. Put pressure on the ball carrier. Little bit of drizzle as

well. The ball is greasy and in contact, you have got to be careful

with possession. We see games played in the wet, errors are increased.

The great defenders will be targeting dot ball to put the

shoulder into where the ball is and they will produce errors like that.

Wonderful semifinal experience, this. Just as it was yesterday.

Good off-load by Tautai. Over the top to Willie Isa. Burgess tried to

but the see you later into the face of Greg Johnson. Wigan fans are

furious that he hung on too long. Last play. Tomkins... Familiar shift

pattern. Manu Vatuvei was underneath it. Lots of time to catch it. Didn't

have to get up the ground. The Cherry and Whites are trying to pin

Salford in their own half. Wonderful sidestep. Logan Tomkins, Carney is

going for a very ambitious 40 20 here. Didn't have enough on it.

Carney is the first manned there. The two brothers involved in the

tackle. Junior Sa'u is pushed away. Strong carry. Great carry.

Baggy on this right-hand side, Salford. Williams saw the gap and

then lost the ball. It was stripped away. Brian Noble is imploring

Williams to Gopher two. -- go for two. They are going.

Brian Noble momentarily lost his Jaffa cakes. They were in his top

pocket. This is a great semifinal. How

competitive is it? Neither side willing to give an inch. They are

fighting tooth and nail for this, as you would expect. Neither side wants

to lose the opportunity for glory and they are all square now as

Williams puts it over. 14 points apiece. We have still got 25 minutes

to go. Can you bear it? Can you bear the tension?

It doesn't matter what colours you are wearing, you are united in

making noise at the moment inside this ground. Sam Tomkins now we'll

take it down. Bambi on the 20 metres. He has support on the

inside. Williams was steaming up on the

inside. He has been good today, Sam Tomkins. One of the best

performances of the year. Here is the wrecking ball.

Tautai, comes back again. Couple of tackles to go. Tautai, is hurt.

Bit of contact with the head. Not much in it, but certainly rattled

Tautai. That is a fair head to rattle as well. Takes some trying.

Penalty? It was high. Where anybody else who hasn't seen the replay,

that was high. Going on report. He has given the penalty. Tautai has

gone off the field. With a head injury. 15 minute assessment. Wigan

are going for gold. Looking to put their noses ahead here again. It

didn't look much. But the benefit of having a video technology at the

game. He caught him high and it was two points. Do influence our

penalties in this game has been nude. At the start of the game,

Wigan conceded. Salford were then in the ascendancy. Wigan are now

scoring points off the back of small bits of ill discipline. How much

pressure on this valour. He has put it wide. He has put it wide. It

remains all square at 14 apiece. But Wigan, all things being equal,

should get the ball back. How big a moment might that proved

to be? Earlier in the day... Cup that from Craig Kopczak. We have the

heavy rain now and a thunderstorm on the field. Epic. Burgess. Johnson...

On the slippery surface, Burgess is pushed out of play and it is Salford

who get the ball back again. You cannot take your eyes off this,

there is something happening almost every play. We talked about the

thunderstorm the weathermen didn't predict, but that is on the field.

Didn't think Burgess committed to that. Was reluctant with the

conditions now to take him on the outside, but didn't commit either

way. I think he was frightened to go eat into touch. It should have been

vigorous and comeback against the grain and in the Johnson. With the

way Salford are playing right now, huge amount of territory for Wigan

in this second half. But the way in which Salford player requires ball

movement and these conditions are not conducive to moving the ball.

They will have to be clinical to challenge this Wigan side.

The golden point, if required, will be used. It has to be settled today.

Dobson's kick was not what he would have wanted. He has given Wigan a

seven tackle count. The field is a bit more slippery, so you have to

adjust your kicking strategy accordingly. The count of six starts

from here. McIlorum has some attitude for these

late stages. McIlorum! Michael McIlorum, off his

boot laces, in the most difficult of conditions. He is not going to give

in yet. He is going to make us all wait. He thinks it is a try, but

they need to be absolutely sure, so let's hear again from the video ref.

REFEREE: paws on the footage if possible, please.

Everybody in shot is behind the line.

What a try. It sounded like a roar of the undergoing around the

stadium. What a try! What poise from the winger. And how about the

ball-handling skills of Michael McIlorum? What a catch. What a

pick-up. The fabulous skill that we saw and then the run from Burgess

compliments George Williams' kick. It was Williams over the top.

Williams spotted Johnson being aggressive. Showed some patients.

Michael McIlorum deserves that try, because he recognised that that ball

might come back to the middle. Great place. -- great play. It is

absolutely hammering down now. It is whether to match the mood of the

game, dramatic and intense. How about the kick of Burgess at full

pace? Quality. You need to execute when the weather is like this.

Michael McIlorum, with a kick and then that chase as well. The hook is

adding something. Salford are struggling to get behind the ball

now. A crushing piece of play from Wigan. The Wigan fans are in full

voice now. And the kick is taken by Tomkins.

Johnson just needed to push up with Masila.

#bbcrl to get in touch. Wigan are in front at the moment, but that is

only at the moment. Still twists and turns aplenty.

There is a bonus for Salford. Here he comes.

Big games rest on moments like that. Salford had momentum there. They

were rolling Wigan nicely down the field. The break by Masila, that was

a big miss. You don't get a chance like that in these conditions of the

game. It's been a while since we have had

two semifinals as noisy and as atmospheric as we have had this

year. It's brilliant. All four sets of supporters for the semifinals

have got involved. One play to go here. Tomkins going

for the drop goal, and he's got it, just as he did in the last round

against Warrington. A one pointer that might be priceless. The weather

conditions may lay their part. Salford still have a chance here.

But the dominance in the second half has been with Wigan. It has 100%.

Big challenge for Salford. Their season has been building for this

and it is a big moment in their year. Salford have to scored twice.

Wigan at the moment are in the box seat.

Oh, Bateman has lost it. This is the only time it hasn't worked out for

Wigan. They are trying to play in wet conditions. Bateman wasn't

expecting it. That error gives Salford a little glimmer, Brian.

Absolutely. With 13 minutes left, they will feel they are well capable

of two scores. This is where Carney and Dobson need to come to life and

really steer this side around. Wigan's pressure was good enough. We

had a lot of examples yesterday of how you can help the person who is

going to catch the ball. It was Davies in this instance. You will

see maybe five red shirts around the defending player. That was why they

cleaned it up. That was why they got the result and Salford didn't.

The coverage of the Challenge Cup this year began with wonderful

entertainment and now we are here at the semifinal and we have rain

spattered lenses again, and the drama is just as good. Super chase.

Top kick as well. We need something special here from

Salford to get themselves back in. Wigan know they just have to work

hard. Hard work brings its own rewards.

The shoulder contact in these weather conditions gives Wigan that

really valuable feed position. Salford artist hoping for something

instead of playing for something. Without doubt. They need to put a

kick where they can challenge for it. Those are the small things that

can get them back into the game. They are looking for somebody to

create something. They will get a chance. Still ten minutes to play.

That is an age in a semifinal. They have lost a bit of ground, and

he has lost possession. Salford have it back. I think we are going to see

a lot of that between now and the end of the game. That is the issue

with the conditions now. Salford have to hurry up. They also have to

think about how to control the ball in the rain, how to get to the other

end of the field, and they have got to come up with two scores. Wigan

need to be careful not to rely on their banality of being a great

defensive team who can do anything. The Salford guys have got into the

high 30s. That was like watching grandstand in the 1970s. At the

start of the game, Wigan were really controlling things. This is when it

hurts you, when you need energy. Wigan really took the juice out of

Salford, and that has its impact now. Just under nine minutes to go.

Carney has got a 40-20! His second of the game. A moment of magic, a

moment of momentum change, potentially. And Leuluai is off the

field, with a professional getting involved. Salford wanted to take

this out quickly. Gelling threw the ball away. Oh, my days. And then

Salford have dropped it! Can't take this. We can't keep up with it! What

a kick from Carney. We missed that. That was disappointing. A couple of

errors from Lama Tasi. There is the Wigan chairman, looking

on. Nobody can sit still at the moment. Nobody can really enjoy this

at the moment. Wigan are down to 12 for the

remainder of the game. He is out of the action now. They will have 20

minutes match with a man short in the final reckoning.

I don't know what to say. Wow. Dramatic game. A couple of errors

from Wigan have crept in and gifted Salford possession.

Wigan will have a member short of defence. They are missing a player.

Four tackles to go. Seven and a half minutes to go. There was a bit of

slip-sliding from the defence. The ball was stolen away. It's another

penalty for Salford. They are keeping going. Smart piece

of play from Sam Tomkins. He sent all of his players over to the

right. Now it's a question of hearts over

minds. Lungs are bursting, legs are aching, but Wembley is up for grabs.

Carney has gone down and stayed down. Salford carry on. They are

pointing at Carney to the game. And they have eventually stopped the

game. I think Salford have pleaded for a penalty here. 100%. Well, he

seems to be OK now. It looked to be an accidental clash of heads, I

think. It just looked worse because of the timing of it. Carney is

obviously relaxed. If you are going to be penalising that, it should be

penalised immediately, not letting a player stayed down.

Carney is going off the field for a head test. That is huge. Todd Carney

has arguably been Salford's best player, by some stretch, and is now

off the field. On the balance of things, a smart piece of play by

Isa. But does Carney come back on again? The tension, the nerves! That

is a high shot that has given Wigan a penalty. Whatever the mathematics

of the situation, Salford still have to scored twice in the six minutes

remaining. O'Loughlin has been strong today.

I love that chapter from McIlorum. He said, you have sin-binned two of

us, what about them? A little insight into small talk between the

players and the referee. Probably more of the broadcaster but elements

of the conversations that might have gone on.

Wigan will just be looking for territory here, and efficient usage

of the ball in the last three or four tackles. Salford hoping.

The chase is on... And it was not forward by a Wigan player. It's now

or never for Salford. They have to hurry up. They have to look for that

hero. Vatuvei's contributions have been

kept a relatively limited numbers. Thomas Leuluai has been exceptional.

Much of the spine of the Wigan team has been exceptional. Williams has

been a threat. There are a couple of really experienced guys. Some

fantastic performances on this Wigan side. Penalty for Salford. Dangerous

tackle. We are almost at the this is it

moment. This might be at in terms of the slot in which Salford have to

score. Wigan have it back! Their turn to rejoice. Salford just

haven't taken the opportunities. They have had some possession. They

have come up with very errors with the ball, and that is not good

enough. In the second half, Wigan have been really solid.

Nobody will be writing Salford off just yet, because they were

relegated with 90 seconds of the season remaining last year, and they

survived in a miraculous escape. That should make Jamie more cheerful

and our presentation box. So Salford know they have got it in 'em. But

just like that million pound game last year, they have to scored

twice, with time ticking away. Surely they can't do it twice, can

they? There is too much vigour in this Wigan defence with what's at

stake and all of those things. A couple of tackles left in the set.

Last play. Up in the air it goes. Burgess, with a superb catch in the

circumstances. Terrific stuff, level-headed. He got every help from

his team-mates again. You two have had the job of picking the man of

the match here this afternoon. To have you got? There have been some

outstanding efforts. O'Loughlin and Bateman have been outstanding.

Williams has injected himself at the right time. Leuluai has kicked well.

But I think it is Sam Tomkins. So congratulations to Sam Tomkins, the

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup man of the match. 90 seconds to go. Sam has

been a threat with the ball, but he has had a tough year, actually. He

had a significant injury to his leg. He has come back into the Wigan

side. He took a few weeks to get going, but today Sam has been the

link that has helped move the ball when they needed to. Especially in

those last place. Behind the scenes, Sam is organising everything.

Defensively, he has got his numbers right. Vatuvei knocks it on. Surely

now, the path to Wembley will be decorated in Cherry and Whites as

well as black and white. Wigan fans rejoicing. Even a miracle can't save

Salford now, surely. It's been an epic semifinal. It is moments of

high controversy. It has had moments of great skill. But memorable mostly

for its moments of real determination. And he crowns the

win. Gildart's try, Wigan's match. It is Wigan against Hull at Wembley

in August. On this second half showing, they have deserved it. They

have come out strong and controlled their field position and possession.

Gildart was the icing on the cake. What a super semifinal we have had.

Celebrations, a weary relief as much as anything. Because what has been

given to this game by both sides. The physical commitment has been

terrific. Salford, so close. But it is Wigan who reach the finishing

line first. The footnote to the game is a George

Williams conversion, which takes the scoreline to 27-14. Wigan are

winners. It will be Hull against Wigan. That should be a classic

final in August. You will see it here on the BBC. But what a

semifinal weekend we have had. Two great games. All four teams really

terrific, the contest superb, the atmosphere magnificent. But it is

Wigan and Hull who will compete in the final. And our man of the match

Sam Tomkins is speaking with Damien Johnson. Congratulations, you are

through to another final. I am buzzing, can't wait to get there. It

was a terrific game, and you did it the tough way. Yeah. We dominated

the first 20 minutes and then went a bit slack. A few decisions went

against us and we gave them too much ball. But in the second half, we

were in control. What was your view of the sin-bin in? I thought it was

harsh at the time, but I have not seen it. Well done. You have ten

seconds to sum that up! Brilliant. Wigan deserved it. A champion side.

Salford made that into a game. It's been a treat. Can't wait to the

final. Well, we have run out of time on BBC Two. We are going over to the

red button forum for plenty more reaction and analysis, but we know

that Hull will play Wigan in the Challenge Cup