HULL KINGSTON ROVERS
ROUND 5 (19/4/15)
Bradford 30 Hull KR 50
Tries: Mantellato 4, Welham, Kelly, Horne, Larroyer, Boudebza; Goals: Mantellato 7
The Robins overcome a huge scare against Championship side Bradford as four tries and seven goals from towering winger Josh Mantellato lay the platform for victory against the Bulls. Tries from the likes of Albert Kelly and Kevin Larroyer also prove crucial as KR advance to the last 16 at the expense of the 2003 winners.
ROUND 6 (15/5/15)
Wigan 12 Hull KR 16
Tries: Blair, Sio; Goals: Mantellato 4 (at Leigh Sports Village)
Chris Chester’s men spring the surprise of the tournament to date, as they dump out record-breaking winners Wigan Warriors on neutral ground at Leigh Sports Village. The tie, which was moved to the LSV due to ground work at Wigan, was again spearheaded by Josh Mantellato, who notched eight of Hull KR’s 16 points on the night – all from the boot – as Shaun Wane’s men were unceremoniously knocked out to see the Robins make the quarter-finals.
QUARTER FINAL (25/6/15)
Hull KR 32 Catalans Dragons 26
Tries: Sio 2, Dixon, Kelly, Horne; Goals: Mantellato 6
KR survive a major second-half fightback from Super League rivals Catalans Dragons to move into a historic semi-final berth of the Challenge Cup. Early scores from the likes of Ken Sio, Kieran Dixon and Albert Kelly soar the Robins into a commanding early lead, but the Dragons gave the home side a real scare before KR eventually clung on to progress to the last four against Warrington.
SEMI-FINAL (1/8/15)
Hull KR 26 Warrington 18
Tries: Mantellato, Sio, Larroyer, Lunt; Goals: Mantellato 5 (at Headingley Carnegie, Leeds)
KR secure a first return to Wembley in 29 years by getting past Warrington in another major shock to set up a final against Leeds Rhinos. The Robins fell behind inside the opening two minutes thanks to a try from Ryan Atkins, but with another 14-point haul, Josh Mantellato again proves key, scoring the opening try and tagging on numerous conversions and a penalty to steer the Robins to another shock and a Wembley return after years of waiting.
LEEDS RHINOS
ROUND 6 (16/5/15)
Leeds 48 Huddersfield 16
Tries: Watkins 2, Hall 2, Aiton, McGuire, Cuthbertson, Ablett; Goals: Sinfield 8
The defending cup holders prove too strong for West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield, as eight tries and eight goals see Leeds ease past the Giants to move into the last eight. Kallum Watkins and Ryan Hall both grab a brace as the Rhinos prove too strong for Paul Anderson’s men.
QUARTER-FINAL (26/6/15)
Hull FC 6 Leeds 24
Tries: Moon, Watkins, Hardaker; Goals: Sinfield 6
Leeds show their wet-weather credentials are too strong for Hull FC, as a masterclass in kicking from Kevin Sinfield forces the Rhinos through to another Challenge Cup semi-final.
SEMI-FINAL (31/7/15)
Leeds 24 St Helens 14
Tries: Hardaker, Moon, Peacock, Watkins; Goals: Sinfield 4 (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
The Rhinos ease into their second straight Challenge Cup final as a blistering start lays the platform for them to see off title rivals St Helens and reach Wembley. Zak Hardaker and Joel Moon both scored early tries, before Jamie Peacock scored a remarkable solo effort in the second half as Leeds progressed to the final again.
