Over the weekend, Hull KR defeated Wigan Warriors at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium and Leigh Leopards defeated St Helens at the home of Warrington Wolves in two great Challenge Cup semi-finals.
On Saturday Leigh Leopards and St Helens served up one of the greatest Challenge Cup semi-finals in recent times.
The Leopards claimed a famous win after second half tries from Oliver Holmes and Zak Hardaker.
The difference would prove to be a Ben Reynolds penalty kicked on the hour mark to make it 12-6 to Leigh after a Sione Mata’utia yellow card.
Saints gave themselves a chance to level things at the death when Jonny Lomax scored but Tommy Makinson missed his effort at goal.
Then on Sunday, at the home of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and Hull KR needed golden point to separate them in another amazing Challenge Cup semi-final.
Hull KR struck first through Louis Senior in the corner from a scrum move. But Wigan led 8-4 at halftime after a try from Jai Field and a penalty from Harry Smith.
Then came the big turning point in the game when Joe Shorrocks was sent off for a high tackle on Mikey Lewis.
Wigan extended their lead to 10-4 but an Ethan Ryan try sent the game to golden point where a Brad Schneider drop goal would win it and write the final verse in a fantastic weekend of semi-final action.
But how did teams cope on the injury front?
Saints probably had the worse of the injuries over the weekend. According to Paul Wellens, Agnatius Paasi had his knee “blown to smithereens” by John Asiata’s tackle.
Both Alex Walmsley and Morgan Knowles suffered knocks to the knee.
Meanwhile, Leigh came through the game unscathed.
Hull KR lost Ryan Hall before the start of the game in a blow they were able to manage with.
There was also an injury concern for Tom Opacic.
As for Wigan, they lost Willie Isa to a chest injury.
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