Wigan (10) 28
Tries: Hock 2, Richards 3 Goals: Richards 4
Salford (6) 6
Tries: Adamson Goals: Wilshere

Richards contributed 20 points for the Warriors

Pat Richards went over for a hat-trick with Gareth Hock also scoring twice as Wigan eased into the last four of the Challenge Cup against Salford.

Hock gave the Warriors an early lead but Salford soaked up the pressure after that and levelled through Luke Adamson.

But Wigan made their forward power count in the second half allowing Richards to cross twice.

Hock scored late on to seal victory for the home side.

The second rower had given Wigan the perfect start when he took Thomas Leuluai's pass and sidestepped John Wilshere for the game's first try after just two minutes.

Richards kicked the extras and the Warriors almost scored again when centre George Carmont forced his way to the line only to lose control of the ball.

Salford got back into their game from their first meaningful attack when Ray Cashmere's offload allowed Richie Myler to move the ball wide and Adamson took Jordan Turner's inside return pass to touch down.

Wigan went ahead again on 26 minutes with Carmont going over in the corner but Sam Tomkins ruined another break by Hock with a knock-on and Richards dropped Carmont's pass with the line beckoning.

The Wigan defence had to be alert at the start of the second half with Mark Henry and Stefan Ratchford threatening the line before Tomkins bundled Willie Talau into touch.

But the home side looked the more dangerous and a Richards penalty edged them further in front before Carmont sent Richards over for his second try and he completed his second hat-trick for the club on 70 minutes.

Tomkins went close to scoring before Hock twisted and turned his way over for his second try.

Wigan coach Brian Noble:

"We bombed a couple of opportunities in the first half but we were quite clinical in the second half.

"Our shape was good and we attacked a lot better than for a while.

"We've been getting there. I'm delighted for the players because we practised hard this week and the fruits were there to see. I always say, if get a fair share of the ball, we're not a bad team."

Salford coach Shaun McRae:

"I suspect we spent 80% of the game inside our own 40 and with that you just can't beat a side like Wigan.

"They are going to wear you down. I thought we did well to hang on for as long as we did.

"Some of what we did was self-inflicted. It was a big occasion for a lot of our players and I'm just not convinced we handled it like I thought we could."

Wigan: Phelps, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, S. Tomkins, Leuluai, Coley, Riddell, Prescott, Hock, Bailey, O'Loughlin. Replacements: Paleaaesina, J. Tomkins, Hansen, McIlorum.

Salford: Wilshere, Littler, Turner, Talau, Henry, Ratchford, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Adamson, Parker, Swain. Replacements: Sibbit, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse)

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