Wolves hold off Dragons

Warrington held off a second-half fightback from Catalan Dragons to triumph 32-22 and reach the last four of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The Wolves, winners of the tournament in 2009 and 2010, looked to be cruising when they led 20-6 at the break at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

However they had to fight hard to become the first team to win in Perpignan this season, the Dragons having responded with two quick-fire tries early in the second period.

Yet Paul Wood touched down in the 51st minute to give the visitors some breathing space and the win was sealed late on by a try from Chris Bridge.

Hero Hodgson

Veteran full-back Brett Hodgson was the Wolves' hero, setting up a try for winger Joel Monaghan, scoring one himself and kicking three goals to give the Wolves a 14-6 advantage after half-an-hour.

Although prop Lopini Paea touched down for the home side, centre Ryan Atkins carved out a try for winger Chris Riley five minutes before half-time.

Hodgson's fourth goal of the afternoon gave the Wolves a 14-point cushion, though they soon saw that disappear at the start of the second half.

The Dragons, who got the better of Warrington 44-16 in Super League action back on Easter Monday, staged a tremendous comeback to put the tie back in the balance.

Prop Michael Simon and hooker Ben Fisher both touched down within seven minutes of the re-start and Scott Dureau, who shook off a knee injury to play, added both goals, making it just a two-point gap.

Wood took a pass from Lee Briers to cross for Warrington's fourth try to ease the growing anxiety in the Warrington camp, although centre Vincent Duport's 71st-minute effort gave the Frenchmen renewed hope at the death.

Bridge, however, put the game beyond the hosts when he intercepted a pass soon after to grab the try that made sure the Wolves would remain on the road to Wembley.