Tomkins tops as Wigan hit the final trail

WIGAN came from behind to see off plucky Salford in an absorbing Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium yesterday.

Salford were on course for a first trip to Wembley for 48 years when they came from 12-0 down to lead 14-12 at half-time but Wigan’s big-game players came to the fore as the Super League champions ground out a tense 27-14 victory to earn a Wembley showdown with Hull on August 26.

It is the “fairytale final” that Hull coach Lee Radford craved as his side gets the chance to atone for their 16-0 defat by Wigan at Wembley in 2013.

Former England full-back Sam Tomkins and current stand-off George Williams were outstanding for Wigan, who will be favourites to secure a record-extending 20th final triumph.

Salford, making light of their dismal league form that has seen them win just one of their last seven matches, played their part in a fullblooded clash, with Tyrone McCarthy scoring a try on his debut and fellow newcomer Manu Vatuvei also catching the eye after a nervous start.

Yet there was little hint of the drama that was to unfold after Wigan got off to a tremendous start.

Right winger Tom Davies, who was chosen ahead of leading tryscorer Liam Marshall to go up against Vatuvei, had two tries disallowed inside the first five minutes, one for a foot in touch and the other for a forward pass, but it only delayed the inevitable.

Williams and Thomas Leuluai combined to get centre Oliver Gildart striding through a gap for the first score and sniping runs from Tomkins and John Bateman created the position for second rower Willie Isa to grab his first try of the season, courtesy of a delayed pass by Williams.

Williams added one conversion and kicked a penalty as the Warriors led 12-0 after 16 minutes, with Salford looking hopelessly as sea.

Stand-off Todd Carney sparked the fightback on 23 minutes with the key pass that enabled full-back Niall Evalds to get winger Greg Johnson over at the corner.

Johnson then broke out of defence to create the position for McCarthy to touch down Dobson’s grubber.