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Challenge Cup final 2010: The road to Wembley

Ryan Hall scores for Leeds

Highlights - Leeds 32-28 St Helens

Leeds and Warrington meet in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Saturday.

The Rhinos, the defending Super League champions, have won the trophy on 11 occasions but have not lifted the Cup since 1999.

The Wolves are the defending champions after last year's 25-16 win over Huddersfield, their sixth crown.

Here, BBC Sport looks how both sides made it to Wembley.

FOURTH ROUND

After crashing out at the fourth-round stage in 2009, Leeds made no mistake this time around by romping past Hull FC.

Hull twice took the lead in the first half but two scores from Ryan Hall, as well as one each for Ian Kirke and Brent Webb put the Rhinos out of sight by half time.

Hall crossed twice more in the second half as Leeds eased to a 48-24 win.

Warrington opened their Challenge Cup defence with victory over Championship side Featherstone Rovers.

The Wolves were rarely in trouble and were given an early advantage by scores from Richie Myler, Simon Grix and Chris Riley.

Gallant Rovers hit back, but Myler completed his hat-trick as Warrington sealed a 48-24 victory.

FIFTH ROUND

Leeds progressed to the last eight by demolishing Championship One side Blackpool 70-22.

The Rhinos were able to leave out seven first-team regulars, but still managed to run in 12 tries.

The gap was only 24-16 at half time, but Brent Webb completed a five-try haul and Michael Coady ran in an 11-minute second-half hat-trick as Blackpool were overpowered.

Warrington's fifth-round assignment saw them pitted against Huddersfield Giants - the side they beat in last year's final.

But there was to be no repeat of the excitement seen at Wembley as the Wolves prevailed in a one-sided affair.

Chris Bridge ran in five tries and Chris Hicks scored a hat-trick as the Giants were thrashed 60-4.

QUARTER-FINALS

Leeds booked their place in the semi-finals with a dramatic late win over Super League Leaders' Shield winners Wigan.

606: DEBATE
Big Man Wes

Five penalties from Pat Richards gave the Warriors a 10-8 lead as full time approached at a very wet Headingley.

But, in what was surely Leeds' last attack, Kevin Sinfield fed Lee Smith, who evaded two tackles to cross the line and give the Rhinos a 12-10 win.

The holders survived a last-eight scare at Odsal before eventually beating Bradford Bulls 26-22.

Warrington opened up a 12-0 advantage but Bradford rallied through tries from Rikki Sheriffe, Dave Halley and Chris Nero to only trail 18-16 at the break.

However, two tries from Chris Hicks ensured Warrington were not to be denied, despite Steve Menzies' late score for the Bulls.

SEMI-FINALS

Leeds scraped through to their first final since 2005 with a thrilling 32-28 win over St Helens.

Saints led 18-8 at the break, but second-half scores from Ryan Hall, Brent Webb and Danny McGuire put the Rhinos in front.

But Saints refused to lie down, and took the lead again through James Graham, only for McGuire to dive over and settle it late on.

Warrington's passage through the semi-finals was far more straightforward, as they ran in nine tries to defeat Catalans Dragons.

The Wolves had been beaten by the French side two weeks earlier, but a Louis Anderson hat-trick ensured there was no repeat.

Ben Harrison, Matt King, Chris Riley, Lee Briers, Richie Myler and Jon Clarke also crossed as Warrington romped to a 54-12 victory.



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see also
Wolves expect further improvement
28 Aug 10 |  Rugby League
Leeds 6-30 Warrington
28 Aug 10 |  Rugby League
Challenge Cup Final is a sell-out
20 Aug 10 |  Rugby League
Warrington 54-12 Catalans Dragons
08 Aug 10 |  Rugby League
Leeds 32-28 St Helens
07 Aug 10 |  Rugby League


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FROM OTHER SPORT SITES
Mirror.co.uk LEEDING THE WAY - 6 hrs ago
Portsmouth Today Myler left out of final line-up - 14 hrs ago
Clubcall Smith makes 'difficult' Myler decision - 18 hrs ago
Sky Sports Family fortunes for Leuluai - 20 hrs ago
Manchester Evening News Warrington leave Myler out of Challenge Cup side - 22 hrs ago