ROVERS STROLL INTO SEMIS
Ivan Lendl watching on, took out rising talent Borges in lethal fashion.
Afterwards the British No.3 said: “The first set was high level, the second not so good. But that can happen in a match. I managed to deal with any blips.
“It’s brilliant to get to another final here – in front if a packed crowd. It should be a good game against another youngster in Arthur.”
Earlier, in an all-british last-four clash in the WTA Nottingham event, Katie Boulter emerged triumphant over Heather Watson to reach her first-ever main tour final.
The Notts favourite edged a tight 6-4, 7-5 victory before another Brit Jodie Burrage, ranked 133, made it an all-rookie home final today, with her giantkilling of former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Alize Cornet.
They lost their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Super League champions St Helens after the second-row’s bizarre sending off.
The Black and Whites played their part in a pulsating first half which was locked at 12-12 when he was yellow-carded for dissent after the interval hooter had sounded.
But in chaotic scenes, as Griffin walked away, he said something else to referee Chris Kendall.
The official called him back and brandished a red. Stunned Griffin, 33, trudged off in disbelief – and his embattled side eventually fell away without him.
Smith (right) said: “No doubt some profanity has been said, I’d suggest.
“That’s all I know. I don’t know the details. I trust each and every one of the referees. They wouldn’t
Hull KR Salford
HULL KR head coach Willie Peters will urge his side to learn the lessons from last year’s painful Challenge Cup semi-final defeat after they moved into the last four with victory over Salford.
Five tries, including a starring role from debut fullback Tanguy Zenon, helped Peters’ injury-hit side claim a comfortable win over their in-form visitors and end a run of four successive defeats. A first Wembley appearance since 2015 beckons, and Rovers will rake over the memories of last year’s 25-4 semi-final defeat to Huddersfield to give themselves the best chance.
“We need to have a look back last year at what worked and what didn’t — and aim to try to go one better and beyond that,” said Peters.
“We’re going through a tough stage at the moment and you always find your true characters when you go through tough times.
“We can learn from last year and try to rectify that.”
Salford boss Paul Rowley bemoaned his side’s sluggish start against a team they had swept aside by 10 points just two weeks ago.
“We came up with soft errors and didn’t apply ourselves well enough,” said Rowley.