A Tom Davies try and Mikey Lewis conversion in the final moments of the game clinched a dramatic 8-6 victory for Hull KR against Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
Warrington led 6-2 almost throughout the entirety of the second half – until the 77th minute, when Davies pounced on the end of a kick, that was contentiously judged by the video referee to have not been grounded by Arron Lindop, to just ground the ball.
Lewis then showed nerves of steel to slot the conversion over and bring Hull KR’s trophy drought to an end, with the Challenge Cup win their first silverware since 1985.
Warrington had the slender 6-2 lead at the break from a converted Josh Thewlis try, the Robins getting on the scoreboard through a Lewis penalty in what was an enthralling half of rugby, Lance Todd trophy winner Marc Sneyd controlling the game.
Tom Davies’ try helped seal a spectacular win for Hull KR
However, it was the other star man of Lewis who had the final word of the match, sending the Robins end into a frenzy of joy and tears as they realised what they had just achieved.
It is Hull KR’s first Challenge Cup win since 1980.
Lewis has last word as Hull KR end ‘1985’ drought
With a bouncing Wembley Stadium creating an electric atmosphere from minute one, both Warrington Wolves and Hull KR came out ready to stand up defensively – big hits going in, in every single set.
With completion clearly key, the first 10 minutes ticked by in a flash and that is when the first opportunity arrived as Adam Holroyd thought he had scored. However, it was judged that the ball had been ripped from Jack Broadbent in the tackle and his diving effort brought with it no points.
As the heavens opened in the 18th minute it was a closely contested game, Sneyd’s boot keeping the Wolves firmly in the picture.
It was a tough and enthralling contest as both sides went toe-to-toe
The first points then arrived in the 24th minute as Ben Currie was pinged for a high shot on Lewis, the Robins No 6 slotting over the conversion for a 2-0 lead.
With the Sneyd masterclass continuing, Warrington’s moment finally arrived on the stroke of half-time. After Burgess spilled a Sneyd high bomb, Warrington worked their set on KR’s line, Sneyd sent a grubber through which was deflected, and the bounce of it landed perfectly for Thewlis to collect and dive over.
Warrington were on top throughout a lot of the contest as Josh Thewlis went over to score
Of course, Sneyd sent over the conversion from the touchline to send his side in 6-2 up at the break.
The start of the second half saw the rain still pouring and chances come and go, first for Warrington as they could not capitalise on a Lewis handling error on his own line. Then KR could not use the territory from a brilliant Lewis kick to go over.
Sneyd continued to control game and picked up his third Lance Todd trophy win for it, his kicks earning goal-line dropout after goal-line dropout. However, Warrington could not turn any of those pressurised opportunities into much-needed points.
Mikey Lewis sent over the match-winning conversion that ended Hull KR’s trophy drought
The dramatic moment then arrived as Lewis sent through a grubber kick which Arron Lindop could not deal with, Davies pouncing on it with his fingertips just before it rolled into touch to bring the score to 6-6.
Lewis then stepped up to the plate once again as he sent the conversion over, Warrington stunned as the game slipped away from them in the cruellest fashion.
The winning moment!
Mikey Lewis and Elliot Minchella celebrate
Eribe Doro, Jez Litten, and Jack Brown celebrate together
Jez Litten celebrates as the final hooter sounds
Tyrone May takes in the winning moment
Lewis: I had to trust my process | Sneyd: It is fine margins
Mikey Lewis came up with the clutch moment as Hull KR won the Challenge Cup
Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis speaking to BBC Sport:
“I thought I just had to go through my process and trust it and that’s what I did.
“We’re tough. It weren’t our best performance but that’s what tough teams do.
“The heartbreak two or three years ago, it really sums it up. These are finals I want to play for the rest of my career at this club, I love it, and hopefully we can go again.”
Warrington Wolves half-back Marc Sneyd speaking to BBC Sport:
“I’d rather be over there with the lads right now but fine margins, isn’t it?
“That’s what makes sports so good for the fans. It’s a killer, it’s awful. We weren’t a million miles off, we were in it, winning for however long in that game.
“Hull KR know how to play for 80 minutes, unfortunately we only played for 78 today. Just very unfortunate. I feel for (Arron) Lindop there so we’ll get round him and sort him out.
“To him, it’ll be the end of the world for him but look, you live and learn. He’ll be better for it.”
