Saints and Wolves to meet in Challenge Cup final

Super League's top two sides will contest the Challenge Cup final on August 24 after St Helens and Warrington Wolves each claimed last-four victories at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Saints, who have proved dominant in the regular league season for the second year in succession, overcame a superb effort from second-tier part-timers Halifax to win 26-2 on Saturday after the Wolves had edged out Hull FC 22-14.

If Halifax's fairy-tale run to the last four was impressive, their initial efforts against St Helens were even more outstanding as they ended the opening half-hour on level terms at 2-2.

Veteran hooker James Roby dummied over shortly before the interval and Justin Holbrook's men pulled clear in the second period as their opponents predictably tired, Dominique Peyroux, Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages all going over.

Halifax could nevertheless feel immensely proud of their efforts, despite failing in their improbable mission of inflicting a sixth successive semi-final defeat on their illustrious opponents.

80': SAINTS ARE OFF TO WEMBLEY! A professional second half performance sees us through to Wembley after tries from Peyroux, Lomax and Fages! pic.twitter.com/5Q1GyORpiC

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 27, 2019

Earlier, a Warrington side boosted by the return of fit-again full-back Stefan Ratchford just about held firm in the face of a Hull fightback.

Tries from Bryson Goodwin, Ben Currie and Toby King helped the Wire into a 16-8 lead, but Scott Taylor's converted score set up a nervy finish and Steve Price's side could only celebrate when Joe Philbin dived over in the 79th minute.

@WarringtonRLFC @WembleyStadium @Coral #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/xLWWbLal8B

— The Coral Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) July 27, 2019

Warrington will now make a third final appearance in four years, having been beaten by Hull and Catalans Dragons respectively in the 2016 and 2018 deciders.