Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Sam Walters sent-off but Wigan Warriors crush Hull KR to win Challenge Cup
Former Leeds Rhinos forward Sam Walters was sent-off at Wembley, but his red card didn’t prevent Wigan Warriors lifting the Challenge Cup for a record-extending 22nd time.
Walters was dismissed two minutes from the end for a dangerous tackle on Hull KR substitute Bill Leyland. Wigan were 40-10 ahead at the time and that was the final score after an utterly dominant second half performance.
Prop Walters was the third player to be sent-off in a Wembley final and the first on a winning side. The trio all have a Rhinos connection. The Loiners’ Syd Hynes was the first, in a loss to Leigh in 1971 and Widnes’ Richie Eyres, who later joined Leeds, was dismissed against Wigan 22 years later.
Wigan’s young stand-off Jack Farrimond scored his side’s first two tries and created their third in a Lance Todd Trophy-winning performance. Remarkably, he was voted man of the match despite being replaced by Bevan French for the last 19 minutes.
Centre Adam Keighran’s 20 points, from two tries and six goals, equalled the Wembley record held by Rhinos’ Iestyn Harris (v London in 1999) and Tom Briscoe (v Hull KR, 2015), along with Neil Fox of Wakefield Trinity (v Hull FC, 1960).
Hull KR were still in the game at half-time, when they trailed 10-4, but three tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second period set the tone for what turned out to be a rout. Farrimond dummied over from Brad O’Neill’s pass after just four minutes.
That came direct from a scrum following a knock-on by former Rhinos full-back Jack Broadbent. The Robins challenged - and appeared to have a valid case - but video referee Chris Kendall ruled the evidence inconclusive.
Wigan had a firm grip on the final when Farrimond stepped past Mikey Lewis - who was limping from an ankle injury - and Broadbent for a long-range touchdown on 37 minutes. Elliot Minchella hit the deck in back play, but referee Liam Moore indicated a try and Kendall, eventually, agreed.
It looked like being a commanding half-time advantage, but on the final play Tyrone May’s kick was gathered by Peta Hiku and he went around Noah Hodkinson before rolling over the line in Jai Field’s tackle. Rhyse Martin’s kick hit a post and bounced away.
Hull KR were blitzed in the third quarter. Junior Nsemba touched down from Farrimond’s kick and then Keighran scored two tries in as many minutes, initially after Harry Smith put boot to ball and then with a strong finish from O’Neill’s looping pass. He also converted all three to make it 28-4.
Wigan replaced Farrimond with long-term casualty French and he scored almost immediately. Hiku grabbed a consolation, improved by Martin, but Luke Thompson charged over following an error by Broadbent to complete a Wigan double.
Second-rower Eva Hunter scored four tries as Wigan trounced St Helens in the women’s final. That feat wasn’t enough to secure the player of the match award which went to stand-off Jenna Foubister. Wigan’s side included forward Bethan Dainton who joined them from Leeds Rhinos in pre-season.
Just 56,383 fans attended at Wembley. Next year’s finals will be staged at the same venue on Saturday, June 5.