They have just three Challenge Cup triumphs between them and neither has lifted rugby league’s most famous trophy for more than 40 years, but one of Leigh or Hull Kingston Rovers will end that wait next month after Rovers edged out holders Wigan to book their place alongside the Leopards at Wembley on 12 August.
Brad Schneider’s drop goal in golden point extra-time was enough to edge a thrilling semi-final played in dreadful conditions at Headingley, and etch the half-back’s name into Hull KR folklore. Schneider has only been in the country for a fortnight since joining from Canberra, but in that time has kicked the winning drop goal in their Super League victory against Leeds and now this semi-final, which takes Rovers back to Wembley for the first time since 2015.
Wigan looked as though they would survive the dismissal of Joe Shorrocks, who was sent off just seconds into the second half after a shoulder tackle to the head of Hull KR’s full-back, Mikey Lewis. Even without Shorrocks, they defended heroically and extended an 8-4 half-time lead to 10-4 through a Harry Smith penalty. It seemed at that stage as though last year’s cup winners were on course to make the final once again.
However, a superb try for Ethan Ryan followed by a nerveless touchline conversion from Schneider sent the game to golden point extra-time and with Rovers’ first attack, Schneider kicked a stunning long-range drop goal to move the Robins to within one victory of only a second ever Challenge Cup triumph, with their first all the way back in 1980. They will face a Leigh side who have not won it since 1971, meaning a whole generation of supporters at one club will witness their club winning the cup for the first time.
It was Rovers who began the better of the two sides and they took a deserved lead when a well worked move from the scrum led to Louis Senior crossing to make it 4-0. The Warriors responded through a superb individual try from full-back Jai Field, with Smith converting. He then added a penalty on the stroke of half-time to make it 8-4.
The momentum looked as though it swung Rovers’ way when Shorrocks was sent off a minute into the second half. But Wigan dug in and defended superbly, even going further ahead through a second Smith penalty. However, the Robins kept battling and scored the try that took the game to extra-time through Ryan before Schneider’s extra-time brilliance settled the tie.
The women’s final will be contested by St Helens and Leeds, after the Rhinos booked their place in the final by defeating Wigan. Leeds had too much quality for the Warriors in testing conditions, ensuring a meeting of the two heavyweights of the Women’s Super League at Wembley, the first time the cup final has been played at the national stadium. Tries from Amy Hardcastle, Caitlin Beevers and Tara Moxon ensured a 16-4 win for the Rhinos, with Wigan’s sole try coming from Beri Salihi.
