Rugby League: Wigan joy marred by brawl

WIGAN and Featherstone Rovers could be fined by the Rugby League following a mass brawl during yesterday's Silk Cut Challenge Cup quarter-final at Central Park, won 32-14 by Wigan.

Players from both sides were involved in a flare-up following Sam Panapa's 56th-minute try and, when order had been restored, the Widnes referee, Stuart Cummings, sent off Great Britain forwards Andy Platt (Wigan) and Steve Molloy (Featherstone) for fighting.

Rovers' substitute Neil Roebuck, sent to the sin-bin for his part in the incident, later returned to the field and was dismissed in the dying seconds for use of the elbow. Wigan's victory extended their record run of Challenge Cup ties to 34 wins and keeps them on course for a seventh successive Wembley triumph.

Doncaster's attempt to become only the fourth Second Division side to reach the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup came to an end when they lost 40-9 to St Helens. The Saints ran in seven tries, including two from Tommy Martyn, while Paul Loughlin kicked six goals.

In the only First Division match, Salford, inspired by scrum-half Shaun Brown, beat Halifax 34-14, scoring six tries to secure their first victory in six matches