Report: CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS

This group of Warrington Wolves players wrote their names into the history books of the club yesterday, overcoming all the odds to defeat red-hot favourites St Helens at Wembley and win the club's ninth Challenge Cup and first piece of silverware since the same trophy in 2012.


With no Blake Austin, the already uphill task had become a mountain. Austin didn't make Thursday's 19-man squad and despite some suggestions that he would make the team on the day, he did not. In the official lineup announcement, Ben Currie was at stand-off in Austin's place, but this was clearly a bluff as it soon became clear that Jack Hughes and Stefan Ratchford were sharing duties at six, next to Declan Patton. Hughes' role in the halves meant there was a start in the second row for Ben Murdoch-Masila, with Jason Clark at loose forward. Matt Davis returned to the bench and Josh Charnley was back in from the start, on the wing. In a surprising move, Jake Mamo was named on the bench - only the third time we have named a back on the bench this season - which meant that there was no place for Ben Westwood or Harvey Livett. Mamo's presence on the bench proved to be an excellent move - this allowed Ratchford to move into the halves at times and Mamo take Ratchford's place at full back.

The excitement was building with fans gathering in their droves on Wembley Way, making the short walk to the iconic national stadium. The beautiful weather just added to the positive atmosphere and feeling. After a sensational show of pre-match entertainment including a glorious rendition of 'Abide with me' and the National Anthem, the time had arrived for the two best teams in the country to take to the field. A roar greeted the players as they emerged from the tunnel for one of the biggest games of their lives. Kick-off finally came and it soon became apparent that Hughes would be defending in the stand-off position, and Ratchford attacking there, with the latter being responsible for the kicking game early on. The first ten minutes were very cagey and all about territory, though Wire were very lucky not to concede a try when Morgan Knowles looked to have got the ball down, but referee Robert Hicks said no and opted not to use the video ref. Other highlights of this early spell were some good scoots from Daryl Clark and Wire defending a drop-out after Charnley had been trapped in goal, before a handling error from Alex Walmsley.

The teasing high kicks from Patton and Ratchford were causing Saints problems, but they were dealing well with it. Clark had made a few good breaks while for Saints, the pace of Kevin Naiqama and Regan Grace was starting to look threatening. A brilliant piece of Wire defending prevented Grace from scoring when he looked to have a free run to the line, before the first of many handling errors from Saints talisman Lachlan Coote helped give Wire a breather before the first big chance for Steve Price's team. Patton's kick was spilled, which meant that the next set was started ten metres out. On the fifth play, a lovely deft kick from Patton was into the path of Currie. Currie and Coote arrived at the ball simultaneously - Coote just (and it really was just) got there in front of the Warrington man. The subsequent drop-out was dealt with poorly by Wire and a knock-on from Jason Clark meant the chance was gone. Saints nearly opened the scoring through Zeb Taia, but a good tackle from Murdoch-Masila forced the ball free and the video ref disallowed the try. 

It took 26 minutes for the first points to be registered. On the third tackle around 15 metres out, a nice ball from dummy-half by Daryl Clark found the hands of Joe Philbin. The scorer of the winning try in the semi-final opened the scoring in the final, finding a gap and rampaging through despite the efforts of Luke Thompson. A brilliant try just right of the posts from the homegrown forward gave Ratchford a simple conversion, and out of nowhere, the Wire were 6-0 in front. A few moments later, a difficult high kick from Ratchford caused trouble for Coote, who spilled it and gifted Warrington a set on the Saints line. With seven minutes left of the first-half, Daryl Clark found Hughes, who produced a slightly delayed and pinpoint pass to Murdoch-Masila, catching Jonny Lomax off-guard with the delay on the pass. The Tongan second rower crashed over for the second try of the game and to score in the Challenge Cup Final for the second year running. Another conversion from Ratchford made it 12-0 and people were starting to believe. Saints were in a great position right at the end of the half with six tackles in the bag, but brilliant defence from Ratchford and Currie in particular prevented McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Naiqama and Peyroux in turn from crossing, before an absolute monster tackle from Daryl Clark on Lomax proved to be the last action of the half, Wire sensationally defending a late onslaught to ensure a 12 point lead at the break.

It was a bright start to the second period for Wire with an early break from Bryson Goodwin and a knock-on from Knowles. After Goodwin nearly crossed from dummy-half, Tom Lineham looked to do the exact same and got the ball down and began celebrating. However, the try was disallowed by the video ref for an obstruction by Goodwin on Lomax, which seemed harsh as he had just played the ball - where was he supposed to go? Lineham dropped a high bomb from Fages in the next set and Saints played the ball wide on the third tackle - Roby to Lomax, Lomax to Coote, Coote to Makinson. Makinson looked like he had scored another flying finish similar to the one he produced at the Halliwell Jones two weeks ago, evading the challenge of Goodwin on that night to do so. However, this time Goodwin was the winner, timing his tackle to absolute perfection and preventing Makinson from scoring (as pictured). This was an absolutely key moment in the game and Goodwin deserves endless credit for the timing of his tackle to stop the best winger in the country from scoring in his trademark fashion.

Still, Saints were looking more and more threatening and only a superb tackle from interchange Sitaleki Akauola prevented a Theo Fages break. Currie collected a kick from Joseph Paulo and made a break, before Patton's kick was just claimed by Coote. More brilliant Wire defence shut out Saints' passing play, though the players were starting to tire, with Goodwin and Ratchford both being treated for cramp. A wonderful break from Daryl Clark caught Saints napping and the former Castleford man quickly made the decision to try and catch them out with a chipped kick. His kick was incredibly precise and caused Grace to knock-on in the in-goal area. Nothing came of it in the end, and after 55 straight minutes, Murdoch-Masila's mammoth stint was over, with Mamo coming on, allowing Ratchford to go into the halves and Hughes into his familiar role in the second row. A wonderfully brave take from Lineham while being pressurised by Makinson helped continue the brick wall of Wire defence, though it was finally breached a minute later. Patton, who had a very good game otherwise, kicked the ball out on the full when looking for touch, gifting Saints a penalty, territory and six tackles in the bag. Unfortunately for Patton, this proved to be critical. After seeing out the first two tackles, the ball came out to Fages. The former Salford man sold Hughes a dummy, and neither Toby King or Ratchford could prevent him from scoring. Fortunately, the very off-colour Coote missed the kick and the score was 12-4 in Wire's favour with just over 20 minutes to go.

Knock-ons from Walmsley, Makinson and Thompson in the next ten minutes helped ease the time away, before yet another handling error from Coote, who continued his horror show, gave Wire a scrum. This was followed by a knock-on from Fages, before the game was decided once and for all with nine minutes left by its best player. Daryl Clark, who was phenomenal all the way through, made a scoot from dummy-half, feinting to move one way and then moving the other, grounding the ball and scoring the try that put the seal on the victory. This superb piece of skill and show of determination was Clark's performance in a microcosm. Ratchford was off the field now, so Patton kicked the goal for an unassailable 18-4 lead. Clark was announced as man of the match and winner of the Lance Todd Trophy - an unbelievably deserving winner. Moments later, he was in the thick of it again when he stopped Regan Grace from scoring in the corner with another giant tackle to force the Welsh winger into touch. Moments later, the hooter sounded and Warrington were crowned 2019 Challenge Cup winners.

A truly remarkable day. We were such underdogs because of our form, our record in finals, our loss of Austin and Saints' own performances this season. But every single player stood up to the challenge and put in outstanding displays, worthy of winning any final. Special mentions to Daryl Clark, Stefan Ratchford and Joe Philbin, while I also thought Tom Lineham, Declan Patton and Bryson Goodwin were huge, as was the performance of the props - Chris Hill and Mike Cooper. Jack Hughes did an admirable job in an unfamiliar role and kept Lomax quiet, while in Hughes' position Ben Murdoch-Masila did 55 minutes, a massive stint for him. The defensive effort to keep the best side in the country to just four points is breathtaking and every player has made the fans of this club hugely proud. Steve Price's first silverware as Warrington boss and the club's first proper silverware since the Challenge Cup in 2012. Also amazing for Ben Westwood to taste Wembley success in his final playing days with the club. It was interesting hearing so many players say that losing last year's final was useful in the preparations for this year. There was certainly so much for fight and quality in this year's display than 12 months ago. I hope now that this is something we as a club can build on and start to win more and more honours.

1905. 1907. 1950. 1954. 1974. 2009. 2010. 2012. 2019.

Told you it was our year.

Daniel (@aloosewire)