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Hull FC pulled off the shock of the Challenge Cup fourth round with a sensational 26-22 comeback win at holders Wigan Warriors.
A second-half hat-trick from winger Lewis Martin and tries from Herman Ese’ese and ex-Warrior Amir Bourouh earned the visitors a shock victory over the 21-time winners.
The Cherry and Whites had raced into a 16-point lead in the first half following tries by Zach Eckersley, Jai Field and Junior Nsemba, along with two successful goal kicks from Harry Smith.
“At half-time, probably everyone that was watching said we had no chance, but the boys stuck in there and what a win, it was unreal,” Martin told BBC Radio Humberside.
“We’ll take anyone in the draw. We’ve got that belief in the group that we can beat anyone. It doesn’t really matter who we get.”
John Cartwright’s Hull side are joined in the last eight by Warrington – who came from behind to beat local rivals Widnes Vikings – and Catalans Dragons who thrashed Featherstone 46-18.
Hat-trick hero Martin steals show
SWpixWigan were entirely dominant in the first 20 minutes against Hull, scoring three tries and playing some of their most scintillating rugby of the season.
Midway through the first-half however, Martin broke clear for the first time before Ese’ese was teed up to power over next to the sticks.
Just before the break, Liam Farrell wrestled over to score the hosts’ fourth and restore their 16-point lead.
But seven minutes into the second-half, Harvey Barron’s interception led to him running 80 yards clear before the visitors recycled the ball and, eventually, Bourouh crashed over from close range.
After John Asiata was sent to the sin-bin for dissent, 12-man Hull reduced the deficit against the odds when Martin weaved inside from the left touchline to power past three tackles and dive over for his first of the night.
With seven minutes left, Aidan Sezer’s clever kick over the top found the onrushing Martin who showed a turn of pace to burn past Bevan French and score his second in the corner.
Sezer’s excellent kick out wide reduced the score to just two points and four minutes later Martin, who signed a new three-year deal on Sunday, was found by another excellent pass from Sezer to complete his hat-trick and seal a famous win.
Wire come from behind to see off Widnes
SWpixWidnes Vikings ensured it was a nervy night for their neighbours Warrington by taking the lead after five minutes thanks to Danny Langtree’s try.
It took until after the half hour mark for the visitors to equalise when Adam Holroyd gathered in George Williams’ offload and by the time Josh Thewlis dived over in the corner following a mistake from Ryan Ince, Wire led 10-6 at the break.
Two tries from the hosts, first by Matt Fleming and then Jack Owens, put them back in front by six points in a yo-yo affair.
However, the Championship side were unable to hold on despite a brave showing and Max Wood capitalised on another Vikings error to help level the scores at 16-16.
With 10 minutes left, Ben Currie scored the decisive try for the visitors when he dotted down in the corner before Zane Musgrove added gloss to the scoreline of 26-16 in a tight and often nervy contest.
Tomkins stars on return for Catalans
SWpixA Sam Tomkins-inspired Catalans Dragons had a much more comfortable evening, easily sweeping aside Championship outfit Featherstone Rovers.
The 35-year-old, who was making his first appearance of the season since recovering from a hamstring injury, scored two tries and kicked five goals in the French side’s nine-try romp.
Other tries from Paul Seguier, Luke Keary, Chris Satae, Fouad Yaha, Reimis Smith and two by Australian winger Nick Cotric saw the Dragons safely through to the last eight.
Two tries from Connor Wynne and another from replacement Jordan Williams proved to be in vain for Rovers whose impressive cup run came to an end.
