THE so-called 'big four' in British rugby league will go into tomorrow's draw for the semi-finals of the Powergen Challenge Cup after coming through quarter-finals this weekend.

St Helens and holders Wigan achieved expected victories over National League sides Salford and Swinton respectively, while Bradford knocked out Widnes and, in the biggest game of the weekend, Leeds beat Hull at Headingley.

Wigan had little difficulty in beating the Lions - who are in the same division as York City Knights - by 70-12, but Saints found things a bit harder against the City Reds being held to 6-6 at half-time before cutting loose in the second half to score 48 unanswered points, running in seven tries in 20 minutes immediately after the break.

The injury-hit Bulls were thankful for some controversial refereeing decisions to finally overcome Widnes on Saturday.

Bradford trailed 22-12 at the break but, with veteran Great Britain loose-forward Mike Forshaw superb, they had much the better of the second to win 38-28, although they needed a last-minute try to make the game safe.

There was more disputable officiating in yesterday's midday clash at Headingley where Leeds benefited to the tune of 41-18.

The final scoreline did not reflect the contribution made by the Humbersiders, who at times threatened a comeback and who but for bad luck and debatable refereeing would surely have scored more points, but to be fair the Rhinos deserved to progress, scoring seven tries to Hull's three in front of 11,420 spectators.

The shock of the day in the Arriva Trains Cup, in addition to York's defeat of Doncas-ter, was Dewsbury's 22-2 loss at Keighley.

London Skolars and Gateshead Thunder, along with Swinton, remained the only sides without victories but both put up creditable performances against Hunslet Hawks and Whitehavan respectively

Updated: 11:20 Monday, March 17, 2003