Summary

  • Hull KR win Challenge Cup for first time in 45 years

  • FT: Warrington Wolves 6-8 Hull KR

  • Lewis penalty gives Hull KR first points of game but Thewlis try gives Wolves half-time lead

  • Lewis converts Davies try to give Robins late win

  • Warrington were also beaten in last year's final by Wigan

  1. Best things are worth waiting forpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull Kingston Rovers' Sam Luckley with the trophy during the Challenge Cup finalImage source, PA Media

    For most of us sporting fans, we spend years hoping for a moment of glory amid years of doom and gloom.

    In rugby league, no team epitomised that more than Hull KR.

    A sole Challenge Cup win 45 years ago. No major trophy for 40 years.

    Top of the Super League this year, this was their time, except nobody told Warrington Wolves.

    The Wolves had it until the 78th minute when Mikey Lewis' boot won it for the Robins to end all those long years of hurt.

    The moment of glory had arrived - sport at its dramatic, unpredictable best.

    Thanks for being along for the ride with us this afternoon - hope you've enjoyed it.

  2. 'We were the better side' - Wolves head coach Burgesspublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess speaking to BBC Sport:

    "It's tough for the players. I thought we were good today. We executed our game plan and we were physical where we needed to be.

    "I thought we were the better side today, I really do. It's going to be a tough one for the guys to take.

    "I was proud of the guys and proud of the performance and the end of the game is a bit of a blur for me."

  3. Why Lindop did not ground the ballpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Jon Wilkin
    Former England international on BBC One

    There's a question mark over the try isn't there. Warrington fans might say was it grounded by the defensive player with his chest.

    The ball cannot be grounded by a defensive player by his chest, it has to be grounded by an attacking player with his chest in a genuine attempt to score a try.

    Defensive players cannot ground the ball in a similar way to attacking players, hence the decision.

  4. 'Not our best performance but it was gritty'published at 17:25 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR coach Willie Peters speaking to BBC Sport:

    "It's a weird feeling. It's a crazy feeling, it's unbelievable.

    "They were awesome, Warrington, but I'm so proud of my players. They played remarkable, we didn't win pretty but we found a way.

    "I was a little more vocal than usual. When Mikey was going to kick the goal, players like that, they come up with special plays. That was a moment for him, a moment he'll have forever. I felt calm then.

    "This is for so many people who aren't here today. People who are not with us, people have worked hard to get us to this.

    "Hopefully, this gives them the belief that they can do it. We did it today. It wasn't our best performance but it was gritty."

  5. Should Davies' try have counted?published at 17:24 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    For those asking about whether Tom Davies' try should have counted or not, the international laws of the game, external defines 'grounding the ball' as:

    • (a) placing the ball on the ground with hand or hands or
    • (b) Exerting downward pressure on the ball with hand or arm, the ball itself being on the ground or
    • (c) Dropping on the ball and covering it with the part of the body above the waist and below the neck, the ball itself being on the ground.

    As the try was given on the field, the video referee would have needed conclusive evidence to disallow it. It was certainly a close call.

  6. Davies dives down and Lewis kicks for glorypublished at 17:23 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Media caption,

    'Delirium!' - Hull KR win the Challenge Cup as Lewis converts late Davies try

    Hull KR looked set to lose a third major final in the space of two years but Tom Davies came up with a priceless try in the 78th minute.

    And Mikey Lewis stepped up to nail the conversion and a place in Robins folklore.

  7. ICYMI - Wolves grab the initiativepublished at 17:18 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Media caption,

    Thewlis touches down for 'huge' Warrington try

    In case you missed it or joined us late, we have witnessed a very tense, true arm-wrestle of a Challenge Cup final.

    For long periods, it looked like this try just before half-time from Warrington wing Josh Thewlis was going to decide the destiny of the trophy.

  8. Get Involvedpublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 7 June

    #bbcrl on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

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    Re Craig 16:53: No. Arron Lindop did not cost the trophy for his team. As a Wire fan, I'll concede that it was extremely painful to watch that be given, but you don't blame a 19 year old for losing a final.

    Harry

    Alexander: Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Hull Kingston Rovers... 2025 really is the year of Trophy Droughts Endings!

    Annie: I’ll have you know I once lifted the actual Challenge Cup above my head and it’s very heavy.

    Mark: Warrington may have lost but let’s congratulate Marc Sneyd on his third Lance Todd trophy, the same as Sean Long.

  9. 'Absolutely brilliant sport'published at 17:13 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Jonathan Davies
    Former Great Britain international on BBC One

    A fantastic game of rugby league.

    It's an 80-minute match and Hull KR hung on and hung on and maybe Warrington deserved it on that second-half performance.

    But they couldn't get two scores (ahead) and Hull KR came back and sneaked it.

    That's why sport is absolutely brilliant.

  10. 'Fine margins, isn't it?'published at 17:08 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    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."

  11. Hands on the prizepublished at 17:07 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella lifts the Challenge CupImage source, PA Media

    It's a very different feeling for those Hull KR lads as they head up the steps to collect their medals from RFL president Adam Hills.

    The nearly boys of recent years have finally kicked the door down in the most dramatic fashion.

    Captain Elliot Minchella follows Roger Millward as a Hull KR winning skipper in this famous competition as he lifts the Challenge Cup.

  12. Warrington collect their medalspublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Losing a cup final is a gut-wrencher at the best of times.

    But when you are leading all second half only to have it snatched away from you at the death, that is one will live you for a long, long time.

    A cruel one to take for Warrington as they go up to collect their runners-up medals.

  13. 'You could feel the hurt, KR just want it more'published at 17:03 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR centre Peta Hiku speaking to BBC Sport:

    "What they've been through the past 40 years, the support they've shown the club, it's been outstanding. Glad to do it for them, not only ourselves but our fans.

    "The last couple of years they've had a taste of both finals, we haven't quite got over the line. Those two games you could feel the hurt in the team. They just wanted it a bit more.

    "No matter how hard the pre-season gets, you want to do it for these kinds of moments."

  14. Get Involvedpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 7 June

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    Congratulations Hull KR but desperately unlucky for Warrington who were the better team. Why the focus on Lewis, who was the worst player on the pitch?

    Mark

    Surely the ball was grounded by the torso of the Warrington player!

    Anon

    Ball was grounded by the Warrington Wolves player's torso. Letter of the law states the ball was grounded before Hull KR player scored! Missed by video referee, very poor.

    Anon

    I was there in ‘80 for Rovers’ victory over Hull FC. And now victory again, in the most dramatic way possible. Fantastic.

    Andy

  15. 'I just had to go through my process and trust it'published at 16:59 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR's Mikey Lewis kicks the winning goalImage source, Getty Images

    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."

  16. Postpublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Two years ago, Hull KR were beaten by a drop-goal in golden-point time by Leigh Leopards in the final.

    Now in 2025, they have snatched the Challenge Cup away from Warrington Wolves with less than two minutes to go.

    Fine margins.

  17. 'I thought we'd blown it'published at 16:55 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella speaking to BBC Sport:

    "I'm lost for words. I thought we'd blown it, to be honest.

    "That's what we pride ourselves on, never giving in. It was the ugliest performance all year but it doesn't matter, does it?"

  18. Get Involvedpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 7 June

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    Craig: Arron Lindop just cost his team a major trophy. You gotta feel sorry for the lad.

  19. Another hoodoo endedpublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 7 June

    FT: Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Another famous sporting hoodoo ends in 2025.

    Hull KR win only their second Challenge Cup, 45 years after their one and only previous triumph.

    Glory for the east side of Hull. Lots of their fans are in tears at what they have just witnessed.

    This proud, proud club are champions again after such a long wait.

  20. Full timepublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 7 June
    Breaking

    Warrington 6-8 Hull KR

    Hull KR's Mikey Lewis celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Hull KR have ended 45 years of Challenge Cup hurt!

    They have snatched it at the death.

    Warrington are crestfallen.