Wigan Warriors have beaten Wakefield Trinity 26-22 in a Challenge Cup thriller to progress to the semi-finals.
Two tries from Zach Eckersley and scores from Patrick Mago, Jai Field and Liam Marshall gave Matt Peet’s side the win, knocking Trinity out in heartbreaking fashion.
Wakefield put up another brilliant showing, but couldn’t quite take the win and are sent crashing out of the Cup.
Tries came through Jake Trueman, Ky Rodwell, Cameron Scott and Tom Johnstone, but Wakefield’s quest for Challenge Cup success will have to wait at least another season.
From sin-bins to super subs, here at the biggest talking points to come from this afternoon’s game.
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Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors talking points
Game of the season nominee:
There has been some incredible matches in 2026 so far, but this game arguably takes top spot. Whilst it may not have the ‘upset’ factor of York Knights v Hull KR in round one, this game had everything.
From controversy to incredible tries, coming-togethers to some big hits, the two played out a Challenge Cup classic with either side looking like they could take the win right until the end.
Ultimately, it was Wigan that took the win, and after being 12-0 down early on clawed their way back into the contest and had the determination to grind out the victory.
Tevaga sin-binned:
With five minutes of the first half to go, Wakefield went down to 12 men with Jazz Tevaga being sent to the sin bin.
The Samoan international was arguably lucky to not be sat down for the rest of the game, after he kicked Liam Marshall in the hip whilst trying to break free from the tackle.
Tevaga’s leg got caught under the tackle and was in visible pain, and his kick was a reaction of that which is arguably why he was given the yellow and not a red.
That yellow card was a turning point in the game, as Wigan capitalised on the man advantage with Jai Field scoring through the middle of the field thanks to a Harry Smith kick and Eckersley crossing on the other side of the half-time break.
Jowitt injury:
Wakefield were chasing the game for the final 15 minutes but they had to do it with an injured Jowitt, who managed to see out the game but was in some pain towards the end.
Had Jowitt not been struggling so much, Trinity may have had more of a chance to take the win with the home side making a number of half-chances that Jowitt could have been in support of had he not been hobbling.
Regardless of the result, Daryl Powell will undoubtedly be proud of his side’s efforts this afternoon, in what was an unfortunate way to see their Challenge Cup hopes fade away.
Missed headbutt:
Wigan can be fortunate to not find themselves with 12 men, as Trinity did, after a replay from the second half looked to show Sam Walters headbutt Jay Pitts.
The incident was missed by on-field referee Liam Moore, however Walters will have to wait and see if the disciplinary panel have caught the act and if they deem it worthy of a charge.
Super sub Mago:
One man who definitely turned the tide for Wigan in this game was Patrick Mago, whose impact off the bench proved pivotal.
Scoring a try in the first half, he produced a sublime cut-out pass to Adam Keighran, who then sent Eckersley over for his second of the afternoon.
Not only that, his carries in the middle of the field gave Wigan much-needed metres in a game that was a real battle between two very dominant packs.
St Helens await:
At half-time of this game, the Challenge Cup semi-final draw was made, and it put together the winner of this tie with St Helens, who overcame Catalans Dragons on Friday evening.
Wigan will now meet Saints for a fourth time this season, having been set to play them three times in the league already. Wigan will want to get revenge on that Good Friday defeat earlier this month, and what better way to do so than to one-up your opponents and earn a spot in the Final.
The second semi-final will be a replay of the 2025 final, as Warrington Wolves look to overcome defending champions Hull KR to make their third consecutive Wembley appearance.
