St Helens 32-12 Barrow Raiders

St Helens (16) 32
Tries: Clough 2, Lomax 2, Roby, Gidley Goals: Eastmond, Lomax 3,

Barrow (6) 12
Tries: Catic 2 Goals: Rooney 2

Clough scored two first half tries for Saint Helens

St Helens eased into the Challenge Cup last four for a record 10th consecutive time with victory over spirited Barrow.

The home team took an early lead through Paul Clough but the Raiders signalled their intention to make a game of it when Ned Catic went over.

Clough and Jonny Lomax restored the Saints' advantage but Catic's second try just after half-time kept alive Barrow's hopes of a surprise.

However, tries from Lomax, James Roby and Matt Gidley ended their resistance.

Backed by 2,000 travelling fans the Raiders made it difficult for the Saints throughout but the home side took a 12th minute lead when Kyle Eastmond and Kieron Cunningham combined to create Clough's first.

But Eastmond's resulting conversion proved to be his last contribution of the afternoon as he was forced off with an ankle problem after landing awkwardly when he was tackled by Jamie Rooney and Jermaine McGillvary.

His withdrawal seemed to disrupt St Helens' rhythm and they gifted Barrow's Catic a try when Gary Wheeler spilled Rooney's high kick.

St Helens continued to labour but eventually found their second when Leon Pryce's smart pass sent Clough over before Lomax finished off a slick move to increase their lead.

Catic pegged Saints back when Wheeler again failed to gather a Rooney punt.

But the Raiders' defence gradually began to fade, affording St Helens more and more space as Lomax, Gidley and Roby all crossed the line.

St Helens coach Mick Potter: "Ten successive cup semi-final appearances is a fantastic statistic for St Helens and I hope that continues.

"The slippery conditions probably made things a bit more even today and I thought Barrow matched us physically and came up with some really good plays."

Barrow coach Steve McCormack: "I'm full of immense pride because we competed really well for 80 minutes.

"At times we looked on par with St Helens and went toe to toe with them for long periods.

"We're really ambitious and to have a Cumbrian team in Super League would be great."

St Helens: Pryce, Lomax, Gidley, Flannery, Wheeler, Moore, Eastmond, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Ashurst, Clough, Roby.
Replacements: Fozzard, Puletua, Dixon, Emmitt.

Barrow: Broadbent, Ballard, Bauer, Harrison, McGilvery, Rooney, Campbell, McDermott, Mossop, R. Roberts, Knowles, Catic, Fletcher.
Replacements: Bracek, Young, Noone, Butler.

Referee: J Child (RFL).

Att: 4,972.