Hull 24 Wakefield 6 match report: England international Gareth Ellis made his mark

Gareth Ellis scored his first try since returning to England to help Hull into the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

The Test back-rower also set up Richard Horne’s opener as Hull eased to a 24-6 win over Wakefield, with Jay Pitts scoring two of their other tries.

It was only Ellis’ second game for his new club since injuring a foot in the warm-up for what was supposed to be his debut in February.

Australian stand-off Michael Witt was the key man for the London Broncos as they beat Bradford 25-16.

Witt contributed a try, four goals and a drop goal.

Quentin Laulu-Togagae got two tries for Sheffield as they accounted for Halifax and became the first Championship side into the last eight.

Huddersfield’s players can consider themselves to have got off lightly after last weekend’s Super League thrashing by Warrington.

Most will have expected a roasting from their coach, Paul Anderson, before the focus switched to today’s Challenge Cup tie against Leeds.

Anderson, however, has put last week to bed swiftly. “We spoke straight after the match and said that we had to stick our hands up and say we were poor,” he said.

The Giants know it will require a big improvement this afternoon if they are to avoid being eliminated from the competition by the Rhinos. They welcome back Joe Wardle and Brett Ferres, who were rested against the Wolves – and David Faiumu, who is fit again.

Leeds, beaten finalists for the last three years, have had a boost in the build-up with Kylie Leuluai agreeing a new rolling contract. The prop forward has declared plans to retire for the last three seasons, only to change his mind when he has continued to be one of the most consistent front-rowers in Super League.

The holders, Warrington, have the Monaghan brothers, Joel and Michael, Lee Briers and Ben Harrison back in their squad to face Salford tomorrow.

There is still no return for Adrian Morley, however. His bicep problem is now cleared up, but he has needed a further operation on an eye injury.

Wigan expect to be without scrum-half Matty Smith for the first time this season, thanks to a shoulder injury, at Hull KR.

There are two chances, albeit slim ones, for a spot of giant-killing. York go to the Catalan Dragons with the confidence boost of having already knocked a French club out of the Cup. They beat Toulouse 30-28 in the last round.

Workington Town’s in-form loose forward, Karl Olstrum, says that he and his team-mates fancy their chances of springing an upset by turning over Widnes.

Olstrum, who caught the eye against Whitehaven in the last round, said: “We’ve nothing to lose and we’re going to give it a go.”