HASTINGS WINS BATTLE
STEVE MCNAMARA insists his Catalans side can still make history at Wembley on Saturday – despite a second straight defeat. Mcnamara has made major changes to the team that shocked St Helens in the Challenge Cup semi-final over the last fortnight, and with little to play for in the Super 8s they have been brushed aside by Warrington and now Wigan. But the former England coach is confident Dragons can fire when they take on the Wolves in only their second Challenge Cup final. Mcnamara said: “It’s about winning the final for us, it’s as simple as that. “I’d have liked to have played better today but you can see when a team is distracted and we’ve been distracted all week. I’ve no issues with it whatsoever – to get ready for the final this is the best route for us.” Mcnamara’s main concern is a handful of minor injuries, including an ankle knock to Tony Gigot that saw him withdraw before kick-off. Wigan led 18-0 after Joe Greenwood opened the scoring and Morgan Escare crossed twice in quick succession following Liam Marshall’s withdrawal with a suspected torn ACL. Tony Clubb, Greenwood and George Williams added second-half tries along with a Sam Tomkins drop goal, with Fouad Yaha scoring for Dragons. Wigan head coach Shaun Wane said: “The Marshy injury has upset me. I wanted to win something with him in the team and I’m gutted for him.”
Salford Red Devils 32 Widnes Vikings 6
JACKSON HASTINGS continued to repay Salford’s investment to plunge Widnes Vikings further into the relegation mire with a 32-6 Qualifiers win.
Aussie Hastings (inset, top) was in sparkling form again following his July arrival, with half-back partner Robert Lui also instrumental in the victory.
It made it 15 straight defeats for the Vikings, heaping pressure on them and caretaker coach Francis Cummins. Widnes actually opened the scoring through Charly Runciman, but were 12-6 down at the break despite Salford’s Joey Lussick being sin-binned, with Junior Sa’u (inset, bottom) touching down twice. It was one-way traffic after the break with Lui, Niall Evalds and Mark Flanagan all crossing to make it two wins from two for Ian Watson’s Red Devils. And an injury to full-back Olly Ashall-bott was another blow for the Vikings.