2012 Challenge Cup Final

The 2012 Challenge Cup Final was the 111th cup-deciding game of the rugby league 2012 Challenge Cup Season. It was held at Wembley Stadium in London on 25 August 2012, kick off 14:30. The final was contested by Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves. The game saw Leeds beat Warrington by 35 points to 18.[1][2][3][4]

2012 (2012) Challenge Cup Final  ()
Leeds Rhinos Warrington Wolves 18 35
1 2 Total LED 10 8 18 WAR 12 23 35
Date	25 August 2012
Stadium	Wembley Stadium, London
Location	London, United Kingdom
Referees	Richard Silverwood
Attendance	79,180
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	BBC One

Background

The 2012 Challenge Cup Final would be Leeds Rhinos third consecutive Challenge Cup Final which included a 30–6 defeat to oponets Warrington Wolves in the 2010 Final. Appart from in 2010, the only other time these two sides had faced each other in the final was during the 1935–36 Challenge Cup where Leeds won 18–2. The 2012 Final would be Warrington's sixth final and Leeds's eleventh. This would be the first of two major finals these two teams would contest in the 2012 season with the teams also competing in the 2012 Super League Grand Final.

Route to the final

Leeds Rhinos

As a 2011 Super League team, Leeds entered in at the fourth round, drawing Super League side Wakefield Trinity, beating them by 38 points to 18. The fifth round saw Leeds face Super League opposition again, beating Salford Red Devils, 26 points to 10. The quarter finals saw them face Championship side Leigh Centurions, thrashing them 60 points to 12. Finally, the semi-finals saw the Rhinos draw rival club, and eventual Super League league leaders, Wigan Warriors, beating them 39 points to 28.

Round	Opposition	Score
4th	Wakefield Trinity (H)	38–18
5th	Salford Red Devils (A)	26–10
QF	Leigh Centurions (A)	60–12
SF	Wigan Warriors (N)	39–28

Warrington Wolves

As a 2011 Super League team, Warrington also entered in at the fourth round. A fourth round victory over Championship side Keighley Cougars saw them progress to the fifth round where a beat Super League side Bradford Bulls 32 points to 16. The Wolves faced London Broncos in the quarter finals, thrashing them 50 points to 14. Finally, Warrington faced Huddersfield Giants in the semi-finals, thrashing them by 33 points to 8.

Round	Opposition	Score
4th	Keighley Cougars (A)	44–18
5th	Bradford Bulls (H)	32–16
QF	London Broncos (H)	50–14
SF	Huddersfield Giants (N)	33–8

Match details

Saturday, 25 August 14:30

Leeds Rhinos	28 - 35	Warrington Wolves
Tries Ian Kirke ('19) Kallum Watkins ('69, '79) Goals Kevin Sinfield ('19, '24, '40)[5]	Report	Tries Joel Monaghan ('7) Trent Waterhouse ('28) Chris Riley ('49) Ryan Atkins ('55) Tyrone McCarthy ('59) Brett Hodgson ('74) Goals Brett Hodgson ('7, '28, '55, '59, '74) Drop-goals Lee Briers ('63)[5]

Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 79,180 Referee: Richard Silverwood Man of the Match: Brett Hodgson[1]

Leeds Rhinos	Posit.		Warrington Wolves
Zak Hardaker	.	.	Brett Hodgson
Ben Jones-Bishop	.	.	Chris Riley
Kallum Watkins	.	.	Ryan Atkins
Carl Ablett	.	.	Stefan Ratchford
Ryan Hall	.	.	Joel Monaghan
Kevin Sinfield (c)	.	.	Lee Briers
Stevie Ward	.	.	Richie Myler
Kylie Leuluai	.	.	Garreth Carvell
Rob Burrow	.	.	Mickey Higham
Jamie Peacock	.	.	Chris Hill
Jamie Jones-Buchanan	.	.	Trent Waterhouse
Brett Delaney	.	.	Ben Westwood
Ryan Bailey	.	.	Ben Harrison
Ian Kirke	Int.		Adrian Morley (c)
Shaun Lunt	Int.		Joel Monaghan
Darrell Griffin	Int.		Paul Wood
Jimmy Keinhorst	Int.		Tyrone McCarthy
Brian McDermott	Coach		Tony Smith

References

1. "Leeds 18-35 Warrington" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
2. "Warrington's battered Brett Hodgson recovers to see off Leeds in final | Challenge Cup 2012 | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com.
3. Gordon, James (August 25, 2012). "Warrington win 2012 Challenge Cup Final". Love Rugby League.
4. "2012 Challenge Cup final: WARRINGTON 35 LEEDS 18 at Wembley Stadium". August 27, 2012.
5. "Wolves win at Wembley again". Sky Sports.