St Helens exploit Griffin’s red card for dissent to reach Challenge Cup semis

St Helens took full advantage of the dismissal of Josh Griffin to defeat Hull FC and book their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. An engrossing quarter-final tie appeared finely poised at the interval, with the two teams level at 12-12 and Saints losing Tommy Makinson and Mark Percival to injury. However, Griffin was initially shown a yellow card by the referee, Chris Kendall, for dissent before that was upgraded to red after a further bout of dissent towards Kendall as the teams headed for the changing rooms.

Zenon dazzles to salve Rovers’ woes

A dazzling debut from Tanguy Zenon helped injury-ravaged Hull KR sweep aside Salford and seal their place in the semi‑finals with a 28-10 win at Craven Park. Drafted in on loan from Catalans Dragons, the 21-year-old Frenchman scored one try and inspired a gutsy response to his side’s miserable run of four straight defeats. Those losses included a Magic Weekend defeat to the same side a fortnight ago but, despite a promising spell at the start of the second half, Salford came out distinctly second best and a pair of late tries from Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Dean Hadley sealed Rovers’ place in the Challenge Cup last four for the second straight year. PA Media

The reigning Super League champions capitalised in the manner many expected them to. While Hull fought gamely without Griffin, their numerical disadvantage proved significant as Saints scored four second-half tries to Hull’s one to guarantee their place in the final four.

The visitors moved into an early 8-0 lead courtesy of Joe Batchelor’s try and two goals from Makinson, but he departed with a hamstring injury shortly after Percival was forced off with a possible concussion. That shifted the game in Hull’s favour.

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