HALIFAX PANTHERS 46 LONDON ROOSTERS 24
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan, Saturday
HALIFAX won a record-extending fifth Challenge Cup title with an impressive all-round display to see off first-time finalists London.
Winners of the first four editions between 2015 and 2018, the Panthers hadn’t reached the final since that last triumph, but they were full value for a first trophy win since the 2022 Grand Final.
England stars Rob Hawkins and Jack Brown were pivotal, but it was their defence which truly shone in a game that saw possession and territory shared equally.
The pair combined in delicious fashion for the opening try after five minutes, Hawkins playing a brilliant pass out the back for Brown to go in.
Hawkins goaled and added a penalty – given for a pull on Nathan Holmes – before Joe Coyd dummied from close range for a converted try to get London on the board at 8-6.
In response, Hawkins sneaked in by a post and was then played into the corner to complete a quick double.
He then set Brown away from deep in the Panthers half, charging through the field before offloading for captain and coach Wayne Boardman and a 24-6 lead.
The final ten minutes of the first half were nip and tuck, Halifax defending a full set and then conceding a penalty try when Coyd had his shirt pulled by Brown.
Joe Calcott scored from the restart for London, but Coyd then spun a lovely pass out wide for a Lewis King try.
That made it 30-16 at half-time, though it would have been closer if not for a try-saving tackle by Hawkins on Mason Billington.
Shortly after the restart, Finlay O’Neill seized on a gap to instead increase Halifax’s lead further, though the Roosters kept on battling and the ever-competitive Billington crashed over to make it 36-20.
The match-sealing try was Jordan Holt’s just before the hour, produced by an offload at the line by Hawkins.
London pushed hard for a response, but several more sets attacking the tryline came to nought because of the exceptional defensive organisation and effort of the opposition.
Instead Nathan Holmes put the seal on victory nine minutes from time, scoring in the corner after an excellent switch of play through Hawkins and Brown and making a late Billington second try redundant.
GAMESTAR: Rob Hawkins was on excellent form for the Panthers.
GAMEBREAKER: Halifax’s steely defence proved the difference between the sides.
MATCHFACTS
PANTHERS
1 Wayne Boardman
2 Rob Hawkins
11 Jack Brown
6 Nathan Holmes
16 Finlay O’Neill
Subs (all used)
5 Joe Calcott
8 Jordan Holt
37 Tom Martin
Tries: Brown (5), Hawkins (13, 19), Boardman (25), Calcott (33), O’Neill (43), Holt (57), Martin (71)
Goals: Hawkins 7/9
ROOSTERS
5 Lewis King
3 Joe Coyd
1 Mason Billington
6 Matt Wass
7 Jack Linden
Subs (all used)
12 Freya Levy
4 Jason Owen
11 Casper Wass
Tries: Coyd (10, 32), King (36), Billington (47, 75)
Goals: Coyd 2/2, Owen 0/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 8-0, 8-6, 14-6, 18-6, 24-6. 24-12, 30-12, 30-16; 36-16, 36-20, 42-20, 46-20, 46-24
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Players of the Match
Panthers: Rob Hawkins; Roosters: Joe Coyd
Penalty count: 4-7
Half-time: 30-16
Referees: Rebecca Whiteley and Jake Brook