#ChallengeCup
With the 2017 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final just a few days away now, we take a look at some of the most memorable performances in Cup Finals since the re-opening of Wembley Stadium in 2007...
Tom Briscoe (2015)
A 5-star performance from the Leeds winger in 2015 saw him break fellow Leeds player Leroy Rivett’s record of tries in a final, which had stood since 1999.
Leeds went into the game against Hull KR as big favourites that day as they looked to re-claim the trophy they won the previous year against Castleford.
Alongside his five tries, Briscoe was voted Lance Todd trophy winner for his man of the match performance that day.
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Chris Hicks (2010)
Warrington Wolves returned to Wembley Stadium having lifted the trophy the previous year beating Huddersfield Giants.
Opponents, Leeds Rhinos stood in the way of Warrington completing back to back cup wins. However the Cheshire team recorded a 30-6 victory and the game was most remembered for Australian winger, Chris Hicks scoring the first hat-trick at the new Wembley Stadium.
Hicks was prolific for Warrington, ending up with 71 tries in 82 games in his three seasons at the club.
Danny Houghton (2016)
#Tackle52 trended worldwide following “that tackle” on Ben Currie in the dying moments of last year’s Final.
The Hull FC hooker made over 1000 tackles last season but none will be remembered more than this one. The game defining moment came in the 78th minute with Hull leading 16-12
With the seconds ticking away and Warrington pressure building on the Hull line, Chris Sandow threw a speculative pass to Currie who stepped and raced for the line only to be foiled in the most dramatic of circumstances by Hull FC's Cup Final hero.
#ChallengeCupFinal
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) August 28, 2016
That moment you make a tackle to win the cup...👠Danny Houghtonhttps://t.co/aIEoucBfog
James Roby (2007)
The first final at the new Wembley saw St Helens take on the first ever none-English based team to reach the Final, Catalans Dragons.
In a close opening quarter, it was Catalans who crossed the line first, only for Jason Croker’s try to be ruled out. Minutes later, James Roby broke the Catalans line and crossed the line to score the first try at the newly opened Wembley Stadium.
Saints went on to win 30-8 in a very competitive game with Leon Pryce & Paul Wellens sharing the Lance Todd trophy.
Jeff Lima (2011)
Wigan’s bull-dozing Kiwi Prop, Jeff Lima, was an unlikely try scoring hero against Leeds Rhinos in 2011. Lima scored just 6 tries in his time with the Warriors, with two of them coming in the showpiece final against Leeds Rhinos.
Lima’s dominant display saw him named Lance Todd trophy winner, the first New Zealander to win it since Henry Paul in 2000.
Wigan raced into a 16-0 lead in the first half, including Lima’s first try before Leeds threatened to stage one of the biggest Cup Final comebacks ever.
A strong Wigan finish saw them lift the trophy for the first time since 2002.
