HULL FC winger Tom Lineham admits he can’t wait face to Wigan in the final of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup on the 24th August at Wembley, after the Black and Whites upset Warrington on Sunday, with Lineham proving crucial with a game-changing try in the first-half.
The Airlie Birds were 8-0 down and looking out-of-sorts early on, before Lineham powered home with an 80-metre kick return score, catching a Chris Bridge kick aimed at Wolves winger Chris Riley.
At that moment a possible 14-point deficit was turned into a two-point one with Danny Tickle’s conversion, and Hull were suddenly in the game.
“First of all I just wanted to catch the ball, but the gap then opened up and I was away. It got to the point when I just thought I would put my foot down and thankfully I went all the way,” explained Lineham.
“I can’t wait to face Wigan. They are the Manchester United of Rugby League and growing up they were always the most feared team. They have won the most trophies out of any side, but hopefully we can stop them winning another.”
Hull had to defend desperately after Warrington scored a late try, but Lineham praised his side’s resolute defence.
“Our defence was amazing; there were some super-human efforts from the forwards. Our experienced players in the middle really led the way and stood up when we needed them to,” added Lineham.
“We’re like a different side in the Cup and we stepped up today but we need to be doing that on a more consistent basis. I thought Stilts [Richard Whiting] was fantastic today. He can play any position and if he had some pace he would be the best player in the world.”
Lineham is likely again to be without his centre partner Ben Crooks for the Challenge Cup final, with an Achilles tendon operation likely to sideline him for the rest of the season. He is expected to miss eight weeks. The 20-year-old has made a significant impact in Super League after emerging in 2012, but he will undergo an operation this week that is likely to keep him out until at least the Super League play-offs.
By PAUL CLARKE and RICHARD de la RIVIERE
