For the first time two of the sport’s true heavyweights will meet at Wembley to contest the Challenge Cup final. Although they have arrived at the same destination, the route taken by Hull and Warrington to get there could not have been more different.
Hull were made to fight right until the final moments for their victory against Wigan on Friday in one of the most absorbing semi-finals in years. For Warrington, things were far easier here on Saturday.
They trailed after four minutes, evoking suspicions that they could be victim to another upset after they lost to Hull KR at this stage last year. But from thereon, the Wolves were near-faultless, scoring 52 unanswered points to return to Wembley for the first time in four years having lost three consecutive semi-finals.
It could be the best final in years as there have been a succession of disappointing games since the final returned to its old home in 2007. Hull are first and Warrington are second in the table and they are also two of Super League’s most entertaining sides.
“It’s a mouthwatering prospect and we haven’t got long to wait for it,” said Tony Smith, the Warrington coach. “We’re evenly matched and both well supported so it should be outstanding.”
For Wakefield, this was a match too far in a season that has exceeded all expectations. Under Chris Chester, who coached Hull KR to that surprise success against Warrington last year before losing heavily in the final to Leeds, they have reached the Super 8s after coming within 80 minutes of relegation last year, but with a dozen first-team players unavailable, their first trip to north-west London since 1979 was out of the question before half-time.
“Effort-wise we never gave in, but they were far too good for us,” Chester said. “The squad is so beaten up that on team-run day I was down to 16 fit players and needed someone to play injured. Danny Kirmond put his hand up for the team, which shows his character.”
Craig Hall’s try on four minutes put Trinity ahead, but they would not score again for more than an hour. By that point, Warrington had run in nine unanswered tries. They proved far too strong and Kurt Gidley’s try right on half-time that made it 24-6 proved a pivotal moment.
The second half quickly turned into a procession. Wakefield were unable to live with the size and speed of the Wolves throughout and by the time Chris Sandow, Stefan Ratchford and Ben Currie had crossed, the Wolves afforded themselves the luxury of withdrawing their half-backs Sandow and Gidley.
Even that reshuffle could not stem the flow of points, with Toby King and Ben Westwood barging their way over before Max Jowitt crossed for Wakefield.
To their credit, Wakefield’s endeavour did not fade all afternoon, but it seemed appropriate that Warrington wrapped up the scoring when King grabbed his second try two minutes from time.
