Hull beat Wakefield 32-24 in classic semi-final
Sunday, 27 Jul 2008 20:40
Danny Tickle put in a Man of the match display
Hull booked their place in the Challenge Cup final with a 32-24 victory over Wakefield in Doncaster.
A wonderful semi-final looked like it was going to be all one-way traffic as Hull took an 18-0 lead after just eight minutes through two tries from Danny Tickle and one from Graeme Horne.
Wakefield weren't in the mood to give in however, and fought back through scores from Matt Petersen, Damien Blanch, Tevita Leo-Latu and Ryan Atkins.
Peter Cusack scored Hull's fourth try before Danny Washbrook extended their lead after the break.
Blanch then scored his second try and Wakefield refused to give in, but Hull's nerve held and they hung on for victory.
In blistering heat, Hull came flying out of the traps at the Keepomat Stadium in Doncaster.
Man of the match Tickle scored his first try after just five minutes when he capatalised on a fumble by Petersen.
He scored an almost identical try just minutes later, and when Danny Washbrook fed Graeme Horne it looked like the game was over after just eight minutes.
Wakefield began their fightback after 12 minutes after Atkins cleverly set-up Petersen to score in the left corner.
The gap was soon down to eight points when Blanch collected Danny Brough's left-foot crosskick.
Hull then hit back with a try from prop Peter Cusack.
Wakefield closed the gap to four points with tries from Leo-Latu and Atkins.
The second-half provided no let-up in the action as Washbrook brilliantly touched down Dyke's kick.
Blanch scored his second try for Wakefield on 52 minutes, and nearly got a hat-trick but the video referee adjudged he made contact with the touchline before grounding the ball.
But Hull managed to hold on for their fourth Challenge Cup final appearance in four years.