Watson has his eye on final after Wigan semi
SALFORD will face Super League champions Wigan in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.
The Red Devils put themselves within 80 minutes of Wembley with a comprehensive victory over Wakefield on Thursday night and will take on the Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, on the last weekend of July.
Ian Watson’s side last won the Challenge Cup in 1938 and have not contested a final since 1969, but the head coach feels the semi-final appearance is a logical next step for Salford.
“We are on a good journey as a club,”said Watson. “It’s something that started last year.
“We ended up in the Million Pound game but we came through that adversity and it stood us in good stead.
“We’ve proved that 90 per cent of the time we are a really good team and if we can showcase that every week then we will become real contenders.
“It would be massive to reach the final. I couldn’t even tell you when we last won major silverware.”
The Warriors booked their place in the semis in spectacular fashion, edging a 27-26 thriller against Warrington.
It looked like winger Joe Burgess would be the hero of the hour for Shaun Wane’s side when his brace of tries put the visitors 12-0 to the good in the first half, but it was his error late in the day that gave the Wolves a kick to win the match.
The returning Sam Tomkins starred at fullback and slotted a decisive dropgoal with five minutes remaining, but when Kurt Gidley scored in the closing stages, Burgess overhit the restart, sending the kick out on the full and giving Wire a penalty on halfway.
Stefan Ratchford immediately signalled his intention to go for goal, but the long-distance kick drifted just wide.
From the resulting dropout, Warrington worked themselves into a position to go for a dropgoal of their own - which would have sent the game into golden point extra time but young halfback Declan Patton missed with his attempt.
A double from Ryan Atkins had cancelled out Burgess’ early scores, but the Wolves centre was at fault when Liam Marshall out-muscled him to score on the stroke of halftime and give Wigan an 18-12 lead at the break.
Man of the match John Bateman, another returning from a long injury lay-off for Wigan, scored a crucial try just after the hour mark, before Andre Savelio’s score gave Wire a sniff and set up the late drama. Hull FC overcame league leaders Castleford Tigers in the final quarterfinal and will meet Leeds in the other semi. The Rhinos were comprehensive winners over Championship side Featherstone, who take on Swinton in the league on Wednesday evening. Ian Watson