WOLVES’ love affair with the Challenge Cup was in evidence once again as Tony Smith’s men squeezed every ounce of juice into knocking out Widnes Vikings.

It took a mighty effort to book a seventh semi-final appearance in eight years, eventually achieved with a penalty goal earned and kicked by Kurt Gidley seven minutes from time.

Veteran former Australia and State of Origin star Gidley, yet to win any club honours in a glittering 16-year career, looked in trouble with a leg injury early in the second half but shook off the problem to compose himself for an important levelling penalty at 12-12 before his winning contribution.

It was Gidley’s penalty goal that had also earned The Wire important Super League points against Catalans Dragons a week earlier.

His all-round kicking and game management were key components of Wolves’ third victory of the season over Vikings, similarly with half-back partner Chris Sandow who battled on with a leg injury of his own from late on in the first half.

Whatever setbacks came Warrington’s way, Smith’s charges found a way to overcome them.

That included losing form centre Ryan Atkins to concussion after 25 minutes and rotating three substitutes for the remainder of a tense see-saw tie that left supporters and television viewers on the edge of their seats until the final hooter.

As a result, and with two full-throttled sides giving their all, the players were out on their feet at the conclusion.

Wolves had to dig deep into their energy reserves after pouring effort into a first-half backs-to-the-wall resistence.

Although Gidley slipped a determined Jack Hughes past Hep Cahill for the opening try in the fifth minute, The Wire found themselves camped deep inside their own half as Kevin Brown, Joe Mellor and Rhys Hanbury worked overtime to seek a way through.

Eventually an unnecessary pass on his own 20-metre line from sub prop George King was dropped by the marked Sandow and former Latchford Albion junior Mellor kicked ahead to pounce for the levelling score.

Two minutes later a ricochet from a kick and some sloppy defending from King and Kevin Penny allowed sub forward Matt Whitley to put Vikings in front.

They were sickening blows just after Ben Currie moved out of the pack to cover for the departed Atkins but Wolves did not panic.

King showed a smart footballing brain as he dabbed a little kick forward for Penny to send Wolves back the changing rooms only two points behind.

Momentum was with The Wire and although Currie got over the line from a Daryl Clark pass it was adjudged he had knocked on in the process, harshly according to Smith.

Wolves remained composed, stuck to their guns and the arrival of a second hooker in Brad Dwyer proved to be perfect timing.

With Dwyer, Clark, Penny, Stefan Ratchford and Matty Russell going for the Widnes jugular with fast runs out of dummy half against tired defenders, the penalty was earned for Gidley’s leveller.

And after the stand-off earned six more tackles by dropping on his charged down kick, it was Dwyer who spotted a whole from short range to put Wolves back in front.

Wolves started to be troubled by tired legs of their own as Widnes started to gain huge metres from kick returns and it was after a 50-metre surge from Hanbury that Chris Houston and Brown orchestrated a levelling score from Charly Runciman.

So another setback for The Wire and another lift in effort needed to seal the win, with Gidley’s challenge to a high kick leading to a Hanbury spill and Cahill regathering from an offside position to allow ice-cool Gidley to boot his side to victory for the second week in a row.

INTERESTING NOTES:

* Wolves reach the semi finals for a fifth successive year

* A third win against Widnes Vikings this season

* Ashton Sims served the first match of a two-game suspension and was replaced at prop by Ben Westwood

* First Challenge Cup clash between the sides for 25 years

MATCH FACTS:

Challenge Cup quarter final, Friday, June 24, 2016

Warrington Wolves…20 Widnes Vikings…18

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Matty Russell, Rhys Evans, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Penny; Kurt Gidley, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ben Westwood, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Joe Westerman. Subs: Brad Dwyer, George King, Jordan Cox, Ryan Bailey.

Vikings: Rhys Hanbury; Corey Thompson, Chris Bridge, Charly Runciman, Patrick Ah Van; Joe Mellor, Kevin Brown; Hep Cahill, Lloyd White, Jack Buchanan, Chris Houston, Chris Dean, Macgraff Leuluai. Subs: Matt Whitley, Manase Manuokafoa, Gil Dudson, Aaron Heremaia.

Scoring: Hughes try, 5mins, Gidley goal, 6-0; Mellor try, 30mins, Hanbury goal, 6-6; Whitley try, 32mins, Hanbury goal, 6-12; Penny try, 36mins, 10-12; Gidley penalty, 54mins, 12-12; Dwyer try, 58mins, Gidley goal, 18-12; Runciman try, 64mins, Hanbury goal, 18-18; Gidley penalty goal, 73mins, 20-18.

Penalties: Wolves 7 Vikings 7

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 7,773

Top man: Kurt Gidley