Warrington secure semi-final spot

Warrington withstood a second-half fightback to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Catalan Dragons and book their place in the last four of the Carnegie Challenge Cup with a 32-22 victory.

Veteran full-back Brett Hodgson was the Wolves' hero, setting up a try for winger Joel Monaghan, scoring one himself and kicking three goals to give the Wolves a 14-6 lead after half an hour.

Prop Lopini Paea touched down for the home side but centre Ryan Atkins carved out a try for winger Chris Riley five minutes before half-time and Hodgson's fourth goal made it 20-6 at the break.

However the Dragons, who beat Warrington 44-16 in Super League on Easter Monday, staged a tremendous comeback to put the quarter-final tie back in the balance.

Prop Michael Simon and hooker Ben Fisher both exposed chinks in the Warrington defence to score tries within seven minutes of the re-start and Scott Dureau, who shook off a knee injury to take his place in the Catalan line-up, added both goals to cut the deficit to just two points.

Prop Paul Wood took a pass from Lee Briers to cross for Warrington's fourth try to ease the growing anxiety in the visitors' camp but centre Vincent Duport's 71st-minute try gave the Frenchmen renewed hope and it took an interception try from centre Chris Bridge to clinch it seven minutes from the end.