Hull FC set up a Challenge Cup Final appearance against the Wigan Warriors with a 16-12 win over the Warrington Wolves in a superb game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Hull travelled to Huddersfield as underdogs and the black and whites found themselves two tries down early on with scores by Joel Monaghan and Trent Waterhouse.

But FC, steered by Man of the Match Daniel Holdsworth after his return from injury, hit back with a superb 80-metre try from youngster Tom Lineham and another soon after through substitute Richard Whiting, who was brought on after an injury to Shannon McDonnell, giving them a 10-8 lead at half time.

Aaron Heremaia further extended Hull’s lead after the break and a late try from Warrington's Ben Currie set up a tense finish but FC’s defence held firm as they booked their place in the final of the Challenge Cup.

Three failed conversion attempts cost the Wolves dear as Stefan Ratchford and Brett Hodgson’s misses proved the difference on the day.

The Wolves were closest to scoring first after a break through the Hull line from Ben Westwood, but his offload to Joel Monaghan on the right wing was deemed forward by referee Richard Silverwood.

But Hull were not fazed by the early break and Holdsworth, back from injury, kicked a superb 40-20 to give FC their first attacking phase after four minutes, but this quickly came to a halt as Mark O’Meley knocked on with Hull’s third tackle.

Westwood made amends for his earlier forward pass and set Joel Monaghan free for the Wolves’ first try. Waterhouse managed to offload in a three man tackle and Mickey Higham found Westwood through a gap. With two attackers in support Westwood passed out to Monaghan who managed to evade a challenge from McDonnell to score in the corner.

Hull were dealt a big blow after just seven minutes as McDonnell immediately went off with an injury after attempting to stop Monaghan from scoring.

Warrington immediately extended their advantage through Waterhouse after a grubber kick from Stefan Ratchford. O’Meley gave away a penalty for taking Hodgson out off the ball and the Wolves marched up field. Higham came close on the right hand side, but after switching the attack to the left Ratchford dinked the ball behind Hull’s defence and Waterhouse beat Lineham to the ball to score.

Lineham brought FC straight back into the game with one of the tries of the season after collecting Bridge’s poor kick. Chris Bridge tried a kick to the left hand side but the ball fell into Lineham’s arms as he picked it out of the air and beat Warrington’s defence as he raced 80 metres to score.

With the wind in their sails Hull took the lead through Whiting. Joe Arundel made a half break on the right edge and Lineham took the ball from dummy half and ran at the line before passing to Holdsworth who cut back outside and passed to substitute Whiting who broke through the line to score. Tickle missed his second conversion attempt leaving the score at 10-8 after 20 minutes.

Both sides were putting a ferocious effort in defence as mistakes crept into the game before half time. Warrington had three sets on Hull’s line after successive penalties but Adrian Morley knocked-on as he attempted an offload.

Hull gave the ball back to Warrington just before the break after a knock-on by Whiting but Bridge gave away a penalty for stepping off the mark as he played the ball. The half ended on another penalty with Hull 10-8 ahead.

Warrington started the second half with Waterhouse asking the question of the video referee. Waterhouse stepped inside and tried to get the ball down but for a superb tackle in defence from Whiting who managed to hold the second-row forward up.

Hull extended their lead further through Heremaia from an excellent kick from Holdsworth. Hull were given another set of six after a knock-on from Chris Riley inside his own 10 metre line. Holdsworth took the ball from dummy half on the fourth tackle and slotted a kick on the ground through Warrington’s advancing defence for Heremaia who scored between the posts.

The black and whites enjoyed possession in Warrington’s half for the majority of the half but a break down the right hand side almost brought the Wolves back into the game. The winger passed inside to Westwood who didn’t have the legs for the line and he threw the ball out to Higham but the hooker couldn’t reach the ball and he knocked it on with the line at his mercy.

Warrington had another opportunity to reduce the deficit but the video referee denied the Wolves once again. Riley went over in the corner after Warrington found an overlap but the winger lost control of the ball as he attempted to ground it before being tackled into touch.

The Wolves set up a tense finish after Riley made an interception on Whiting’s pass deep in his own half. The winger ran 60 metres before being tackled by Lineham and Westerman but Warrington worked the ball left and Currie went over after dummying a pass. Hodgson missed his conversion and Warrington were just four points behind on 16-12.

Warrington were given a scrum after the ball went out off Whiting following a bomb from Briers. But Morley knocked on with the Wolves’ second tackle. Immediately afterwards Lineham knocked on, giving them the ball back and FC then conceded a penalty for offside giving Warrington another set on the line.

Hull’s defence held strong and with five seconds remaining Briers kicked to the corner for Monaghan but the Australian could only bat the ball back in play before Miller pushed the ball into touch setting up Hull’s third Challenge Cup final in eight years.

The black and whites will travel to Wembley to face the Wigan Warriors on Saturday August 24.

Hull FC: McDonnell, Lineham, Arundel, Yeaman, Crooks; Holdsworth, Miller; Watts, Houghton, O’Meley, Ellis, Tickle, Westerman
Subs: Lynch, Pitts, Whiting, Heremaia
T: Lineham, Whiting, Heremaia
G: Tickle 2/3

Warrington: Hodgson, Riley, Grix, Bridge, J Monaghan; Briers, Ratchford; Wood, Higham, Hill, Waterhouse, Westwood, Cooper
Subs: Morley, M Monaghan, Carvell, Currie
T: J Monaghan, Waterhouse, Currie
G: Ratchford 0/2, Hodgson 0/1

Half Time: 10-8
Full Time: 16-12

Referee: Richard Silverwood

RLFANS Man of the Match: Daniel Holdsworth