For this week’s classic report, in the absence of the weekend’s Warrington Wolves Challenge Cup clash with Wigan, we’re taking you back to the 2009 semi-final between the sides at Halton Stadium in Widnes. Connor Murphy tells the story, as the game was reported at the time.

THE wait is over.

After 19 painful, almost barren years, Warrington are back on the biggest stage in rugby. No longer can they be dismissed as minor players in the drama of the Challenge Cup.

To a man, Wolves poured sheer grit, passion and determination into a stunning semi-final triumph against Wigan, sparking an unstoppable party in primrose and blue.

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All pictures by Mike Boden

At first it seemed utterly unreal, unbelievable, as if several thousand people were simultaneously sharing in some kind of vivid dream – a nightmare in the case of the Wigan fans.

But when the reality dawned on everyone, the emotion of the occasion was completely overwhelming.

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Grown men broke down in tears, people gripped by hysteria danced celebratory jigs and even some in the supposedly impartial Press box momentarily lost their cool.

A season that, at one point, seemed to be going nowhere suddenly has direction. All roads lead to Wembley.

The semi final itself was a match rich in irony, the opposition and the setting replicating those on Wolves’ previous foray into the last four of the Challenge Cup.

In 2004, the Stobart Stadium Halton had been the location of Warrington’s misery and Wigan Warriors had been the source.

But the hurtful memories of that day were swept away by a performance of heart and composure.

Central to that was Lee Briers.

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The long-serving half back was the guiding hand who cajoled his team around the pitch and the fist which punched a huge hole in Wigan’s hopes of ending the season with a trophy.

Right from the off it was clear he was determined to do anything to help his side reach the final that has so often eluded them. He would have dragged his teammates there if he had to.

Crucially, this time he did not have to.

From 1 to 17, Wolves stood up when it counted and they had cool heads in all the right positions.

Michael Monaghan, a revelation since moving back to his old position of hooker, was dynamite from dummy half and could not be contained as he ripped the Wigan defence wide open with his incisive running.

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Off the back of his good work, the forwards made continous inroads into opposition territory. Big props Adrian Morley and Garreth Carvell owned their counterparts throughout the entire game, never quite so evident as when Morley completely flattened a rather sad-looking Stuart Fielden.

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And Matt King continued the form that still seems to have gone unnoticed by fans throughout the rest of Super League, who still revel in labelling him an over-priced flop.

The majestic King scored a superb hat-trick – the perfect response to petulant Warriors stand off Sam Tomkins’ attempts to rile him, a head-to-head that looked every inch man against boy.

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Despite their dominance, Warrington still gave their fans a few jitters.

Leading 32-8 after King’s third try on 51 minutes, they conspired to give Wigan a shot at redemption, allowing them to pull within a converted score.

But then Briers came into his own.

Like so many times in the past, his golden boot provided the crucial drop goal that steadied nerves before Chris Hicks scored to make absolutely sure.

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It was fitting Briers should take centre stage. He knows the pain of the Warrington fans more than most and his tears at the final whistle showed just how much the club means to him.

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Both he and his teammates deserve this.

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INTERESTING NOTE:

39 points in a Challenge Cup semi final was a Wolves record, beating the previous highest of 22

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MATCH FACTS

Challenge Cup semi final, August 8, 2009, at Halton Stadium

Warrington Wolves 39 Wigan Warriors 26

Wolves: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks (1t), Chris Bridge (5g), Matt King (3t), Chris Riley; Lee Briers (1t, 1dg), Jon Clarke; Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson (1t), Ben Harrison, Ben Westwood. Subs: Vinnie Anderson, Paul Johnson, Mike Cooper (1t), Paul Rauhihi.

Warriors: Cameron Phelps; Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards (5g); Sam Tomkins (1t), Thomas Leuluai (1t); Paul Prescott, Mark Riddell, Andy Coley (1t), Phil Bailey (1t), Harrison Hansen, Sean O'Loughlin. Subs: Stuart Fielden, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Joel Tomkins, Mark Flanagan.

Referee: Steve Ganson

Scoring: Bailey try, 9mins, Richards goal, 0-6; Richards penalty, 13mins, 0-8; King try, 20mins, Bridge goal, 6-8; Louis Anderson try, 23mins, Bridge goal, 12-8; Briers try, 27mins, Bridge goal, 18-8; Cooper try, 34mins, Bridge goal, 24-8; King try, 40+mins, 28-8; King try, 51mins, 32-8; Sam Tomkins try, 58mins, Richards goal, 32-14; Coley try, 72mins, Richards goal, 32-20; Leuluai try, 80mins, Richards goal, 32-26; Briers drop goal, 84mins, 33-26; Hicks try, 88mins, Bridge goal, 39-26.

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Pens: Wolves 4 Wigan 6

Attendance: 12,975

Warrington Guardian top men: Briers 3pts, Monaghan 2pts, King 1pt.

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