Hull FC have etched their names in history by retaining the Challenge Cup trophy with an 18-14 win over Wigan.
Two tries to Mahe Fonua, at his magnificent best, and the stellar kicking game of Marc Sneyd helped the Black and Whites defend the title they won at Wembley last year. Hull captain Gareth Ellis, who is retiring at the end of this year at the grand old age of 36, went out a winner as Wigan were denied a recorded 20th Cup trophy.
It was a frenetic start worthy of a Wembley final.
Wigan crossed after just three minutes courtesy of a beautiful Thomas Leuluai bomb. He landed the ball right in between the Hull back three, with a perfect bounce feeding the ball straight to Anthony Gelling who passed to John Bateman to score and shock Hull FC. The forward won’t score an easier try in his career.
It was an early blow for the Black and Whites but to their credit they didn’t panic. They stayed calm, built some pressure and hit back quickly. After a barnstorming run through the middle, the ball came to Marc Sneyd who kicked to Fetuli Talanoa’s wing. Talanoa climbed high over Liam Marshall to score and Sneyd would level it up at 6-6.
The aerial bombardment continued. Hull FC took the lead in the 19th minute when a bomb on Wigan’s line was expertly tapped back by Albert, this time Mahe Fonua was there to pick up the scraps and touch down. The match ebbed and flowed and soon the Warriors were camped on Hull’s line. Sam Tomkins went close and was centimetres from planting the ball down for a try.
It was Oliver Gildart who eventually forced his way over, after a quick shift to the left flank. Leuluai fed George Williams, who slipped a pass for Gildart to cross. Williams couldn’t add the extras so Hull stayed slightly in front at 12-10.
And that was what it stayed as half-time dawned. The two teams had belted the stuffing out of each other but just two points separated them in a tense encounter as they headed into the sheds.
12-10 it remained until a moment of brilliance from Sneyd’s boot. The halfback had the ball on a string all day. He nailed a 40-20 seven minutes into the second half, giving his team a vital set of six deep into Wigan territory. It was Sneyd’s halves partner who then stood up – Albert Kelly delivering a lovely flicked offload out to Fonua who finished with one-handed audacity. 18-10 to Hull FC that made it and finally some slight breathing room for Lee Radford’s men.
Wigan, as expected, kept coming at their opponents but as the pressure grew so did their mistakes. Passes went to ground, balls slipped out of hands and routine catches were dropped. Eight points is a small amount in rugby league but on a stage like this, in front of millions, it can seem a mountain to climb. While the Warriors managed to keep Hull from scoring again with some tenacious tackling under duress, they were failing to get the ball out of their own half.
Fonua almost had a hat-trick in the 61st minute. The marvellous Melbournian got over the line again after busting a Joe Burgess tackle but the try was chalked off by the video referee because of an obstruction in the lead up. The video referee was called in again moments later when Tony Clubb barged over. But somehow Carlos Tuimavave managed to spin Club on his back for the ball to come out and the opportunity was gone. And with it went Wigan’s chance of silverware.
As the minutes ticked away Sneyd kept Wigan pinned down. They looked dead and buried but Shaun Wane’s side managed a response. With six minutes left Burgess touched down in the left corner after a great Liam Farrell cut-out pass. A flicker of hope arose for the Warriors faithful.
Then with 50 seconds left Burgess was amazingly in again. Extra-time seemed certain. But Williams’ tap-on went forward and the try wasn’t awarded. It made for a incredibly nervy ending but the miracle comeback wasn’t to be.
The Airline Birds fans, outnumbering their Wigan counterparts three to one in north-west London, sang and celebrated. The Challenge Cup is headed back to Humberside once more.
