Challenge Cup Final 2014 - match report

Kevin Sinfield lifts the Challenge Cup trophy 

The Leeds Rhinos ended 15 years of Challenge Cup heartache after defeating West Yorkshire rivals Castleford Tigers 23 – 10 at Wembley.

Brian McDermott’s men, who have lost six Challenge Cup Finals over the last decade, finally got their hands on the elusive cup to complete the jigsaw for the ‘golden era’ of Rhinos.

Lance Todd Trophy Winner, Ryan Hall, scored a try in either half to claim the Man of the Match award, whilst Danny McGuire slotted over a drop goal with four minutes to go to make certain of the victory.

Tom Briscoe, who picked up a losers’ medal last year with Hull FC, opened the scoring after four minutes. The Tigers hit back when Daryl Clark went over.

McGuire, who was two votes behind Hall in the Lance Todd Trophy voting, went over on 18 minutes, and Hall grabbed his first try seven minutes later.

Daryl Powell’s side got the best possible start to the second 40 when Oliver Holmes romped away. But, Hall’s second and McGuire’s one-pointer proved to be sufficient for a first Challenge Cup triumph since 1999.

An Andy Lynch knock on gifted the Rhinos possession in Tigers territory, and a sweeping move to the right was finished off by Briscoe. Kevin Sinfield’s touchline conversion made it 6 – 0.

Castleford, who were aiming for a first Challenge Cup win since 1986, struck back when Clark collected Marc Sneyd’s grubber ahead of Zak Hardaker. Sneyd’s missed conversion left Castleford trailing by two.

The Rhinos looked in control despite the Tigers hitting back, and they found more points as Rob Burrow hoisted a kick up towards Luke Dorn in the sun, and McGuire picked the pockets of the Australian.

The Blue and Ambers were on top, and Hardaker powered through the Tigers defence to set up the position for the next Rhinos try. Hall drove back his opposite number Kirk Dixon to slam the ball down.

Being 16 – 4 down going into the second half, the Tigers had to be the first to score. It took only five minutes for them to find their response, Michael Shenton released Holmes who went over for a converted try, reducing the deficit to six points.

Sinfield tamed the Tigers by dribbling the ball into touch on a few occasions to keep their opponents penned inside their own half. The patience was rewarded when Hall doubled his try tally for the afternoon, proving to be unstoppable once again, beating off attention from three attempted tacklers to crash over.

Sinfield’s extras pinned off both posts to roll over the crossbar, to stretch the lead to 12 points. The win was sealed when McGuire, who cracked three ribs previously, fired over a drop goal to cram a Challenge Cup into their overflowing trophy cabinet.