Warriors back at Wembley

Wigan tryscorer Sam Tomkins

Wigan remain on course for a league and cup double after beating St Helens 18-12 in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

The Warriors led 18-2 after an hour before Saints battled back to get within one score with 10 minutes left.

But Wigan held firm in a frenetic closing few minutes and they will head back to Wembley later this month after a 13-year absence from the game's greatest stage.

Wigan's attacking prowess had blown Warrington away in the quarter-finals on the same Halliwell Jones pitch, but this time it was their defence - the meanest in Super League - which was the key.

St Helens actually enjoyed more possession and attacking opportunities, but they foundered time and again on the wall of Cherry and White in front of them.

Saints forced three successive sets in front of the Wigan line in the first five minutes but their failure to score set the tone - a Paul Wellens knock-on ending that spell of attacks.

After 14 minutes Wigan decided to kick for goal after a silly penalty from James Graham, but the pressure was even telling on Man of Steel Pat Richards, who fired wide from in front of the posts.

St Helens took a similar decision after 25 minutes of stalemate when Wigan were offside and Jamie Foster knocked over the two points.

But still Wigan's line proved impenetrable, despite clever kicks from Jonny Lomax and Jon Wilkin forcing back-to-back drop-outs.

The opening try came from nowhere - or rather the Wigan 20 metre line - as Josh Charnley broke from deep and raced 60 metres, forcing Wellens into a super try-saving tackle.

But Wigan kept their composure and with the Saints defence in disarray, spread the ball wide to the opposite touchline for George Carmont to score. Richards converted a far more difficult kick from the touchline and Wigan led 6-2 at the break.

Seized control

The Super League leaders then seized control of the game in the third quarter with an injection of pace which Saints' defence could not handle.

Sam Tomkins was denied a try for Ryan Hoffman's obstruction but on 56 minutes quick hands from the Tomkins brothers put Charnley in space on the right wing and his jinking run turned the defence inside out before he trotted over by the posts.

Three minutes later Sam Tomkins' brillliant darting finish and Richards' third conversion looked to have settled it and Joel Tomkins should have - only to inexplicably attempt a pass when he could have touched down.

Saints so nearly made him pay, as Tony Puletua twice put Jamie Foster over in the left corner to set up a thrilling finale.

But Wigan refused to panic and Saints did not really force a chance, with Sam Tomkins displaying his prowess under the high ball to crown another magnificent display from the England full-back.