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Carnegie Cup Semi Final Betting

CARNEGIE CUP BETTING - BET ON THE CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Leeds Rhinos v St Helens - Saturday 26th July (k.o. 12.30pm)

The heavyweights of the Super League will instead meet in the first semi-final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium. Champions, Leeds and Challenge Cup holders, St. Helens came out of the hat together, setting up a repeat of the Grand Final of October 2007. Leeds was victorious on that occasion, winning 33-6. St. Helens are a best-priced 11/8 with 888sport to win the Carnegie Challenge Cup, with Leeds at 6/4 with William Hill. The draw pits “sorcerer” against “apprentice” as former New Zealand boss Daniel Anderson, now coaching the Saints, had Leeds coach Brian McClennan as his assistant. McClennan’s Rhinos won 14-10 in a March Super League encounter at Knowsley Road, but St. Helens will be seeking to avenge their Grand Final defeat.

St. Helens survived a ferocious battle with Hull KR to win their quarter-final 24-18 and reach the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finals. Saints, winners in the past two years and bidding to reach the last four for an eighth consecutive season, were tested to the limit by battling Rovers at New Craven Park, at the beginning of June. Ade Gardner’s touchdown 10 minutes from time proved decisive as Saints won four tries to three but Rovers, who twice hit back to level, felt hard done by to have two further scores disallowed.

Leeds won 23-16 in a tense quarter-final clash with Wigan to move to within one game of a trip to Wembley.
New Zealand full-back Brent Webb celebrated his new three-year contract with his 35th try on his 44th appearance while Australian winger Scott Donald grabbed his17th of the season to clinch a hard-fought triumph. The Super League champions avenged their fifth-round defeat by Wigan last season, as well as the shock home defeat earlier this year.

Saints will start favourites for the semi-final with Leeds. They are a best-priced 8/13 with skybet, with Leeds at 6/4 and the draw at 20/1 with totesport. Handicap betting is also available, best prices being St. Helens -4 points at 10/11 with skybet and Leeds at the same price, with a 6-point start, with totesport. Handicaps also include prices for the handicap tie.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Hull FC - Sunday 27th July (k.o. 3.30pm)

The Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster is the venue for the second semi between outsiders Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and the other surprise semi-finalists Hull FC. To win the Carnegie Challenge Cup, Hull is a best-priced 6/1 with Stan James, with Wakefield at 10/1 with Paddy Power.

Wakefield Wildcats boss John Kear has expressed his “delight” after drawing Hull in the semi-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. Kear’s exceptional endeavour of guiding three different sides to Challenge Cup glory was given a major fillip after avoiding the Leeds Rhinos in the last four. He explained, “I wanted anybody but Leeds. It’s a good draw for us but I’m sure Hull will be delighted as well.” Leeds have racked up a massive 102 points against Wakefield in their two meetings this season and are sure to be confident of another victory should they meet in the Wembley final. Under Kear’s guidance, Wakefield has reached their first semi-final in 29 years. However, the Hull semi-final will be their first time against Super League opponents in this season’s contest. Kear won the Challenge Cup with Hull three years ago and guided the unfancied Sheffield Eagles to Cup success in 1998. Wakefield booked themselves a semi-final appearance with a 46-4 win over Oldham. Kear’s men overcame a poor start to eventually stamp their authority over their National League Two opponents with nine tries. As a result, the five-time winners are now just 80 minutes away from a first final appearance since their 12-3 defeat to Widnes in 1979.

Hull gave Richard Agar a dream start to his reign as head coach with a shock 22-16 victory over disappointing Bradford in the quarter-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. The 2005 cup winners have gained only four victories in Super League this year but they are now close to a Wembley trip after ending a run of six successive defeats at Odsal. Fortunate to still be in the competition after fielding an ineligible Jamie Thackray in both earlier rounds, Hull must feel their name is on the trophy after producing a spirited performance to stun the Bulls in front of a crowd of just 5,597 at the Grattan Stadium.

Hull will start favourites for their semi-final, a best-priced 1/2 with totesport, with Wakefield at 7/4 with skybet and the draw at 20/1 with totesport. Handicap betting, with both the above firms has both sides at 10/11, with Wakefield receiving a 6-pont start. The handicap tie is 16/1 in both cases. St. Helens is fancied to beat Leeds and should be able to give up 4 points (10/11 with skybet), while Hull should be able to concede 6 points to Wakefield (10/11 with skybet and totesport), with Saints expected to lift the trophy at Wembley in August.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds