Wellens the key as Saints march on

By Richard Bott for MailOnline
Updated: 08:27 EST, 14 May 2009

St Helens, the Challenge Cup kings of the Super League era, are odds-on favourites
to march on to their fifth final in six seasons.

Inspired by England full back Paul Wellens, who fashioned four tries and scored two when he is supposedly awaiting knee surgery, they easily beat the CATALANS DRAGONS 42-8.

Within minutes of reaching the quarterfinals they were drawn away to rank outsiders Gateshead Thunder, the only non-Super League side left in the competition.

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‘It is the best draw we could have hoped for,’ said Saints stand-off Leon Pryce and coach Mick Potter added: ‘Given that we have beaten Leeds and Catalans already, I like to think we will have enough to get over Gateshead.’

Ten-try WARRINGTON wrecked the hopes of former hero Iestyn Harris as they strolled
into the quarter-finals with a 56-8 win at FEATHERSTONE.

Harris made his Warrington debut in 1993 before becoming one of rugby league’s
most dominant forces.

Now nearing retirement, he was unable to prevent the fifth-round rout.

Warrington winger Chris Hicks collected 24 points from two tries and eight goals while
Richie Mathers, the former Leeds and Wigan full back, marked his Wolves debut with two touchdowns.

HUDDERSFIELD eased their way past part-timers ROCHDALE HORNETS with youngster Shaun Lunt scoring a hat-trick of tries in their 38-12 victory.

‘Rochdale’s endeavour was outstanding,’ said Huddersfield assistant coach Paul Anderson. ‘But it is objective achieved for us.’

Super League's second-placed side, HULL KR, survived a scare to see off Championship side SHEFFIELD 34-24 at Craven Park.

Rovers established a 22-6 lead but the Eagles, cup winners in 1998, pulled it back to 22-18 and it needed Ben Fisher's second try late on to settle the match.

Mark Henry scored four tries as SALFORD booked a quarter-final tie with Wigan following their 66-4 crushing of Championship bottom side BATLEY at Mount
Pleasant.