On a rain-soaked Saturday at Wembley Stadium, Hull Kingston Rovers finally ended a 40-year wait for major silverware by clinching a dramatic 8-6 victory over Warrington Wolves in the 2025 Challenge Cup final. The Robins, who last lifted the trophy in 1980, delivered a heart-stopping finish that will be etched in rugby league folklore, with Tom Davies’ last-gasp try and Mikey Lewis’ nerveless conversion sealing their second-ever Challenge Cup title.
For years, Hull KR had been haunted by near misses and heartbreak. They were runners-up in the Challenge Cup finals of 1905, 1925, 1964, 1981, 1986, 2015, and most recently 2023, where they lost in extra-time by a golden point. The 2024 season saw them fall short again as Super League Grand Finalists. Yet under the guidance of coach Willie Peters, who implored his squad to become legends, the Robins have steadily built a team capable of greatness, topping the Super League table in 2025 with only one loss across all competitions.
The match itself was a tense, attritional battle played in persistent rain and gusting winds, conditions that tested both teams’ resolve and skill. Warrington Wolves, led by their talismanic half-back Marc Sneyd, who won the Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match for a record-equalling third time, looked the more composed side for much of the game. Sneyd’s tactical kicking and game management kept Warrington firmly in control, while his halves partner George Williams returned from ankle surgery to provide a formidable pairing.
Warrington’s early momentum was evident when Adam Holroyd appeared to score a try in the opening minutes, only for it to be disallowed after video referee Jack Smith ruled that Rodrick Tai illegally stripped the ball from Jack Broadbent. Despite this setback, Warrington capitalized on a Hull KR error when Joe Burgess fumbled a high bomb from Sneyd, setting up Josh Thewlis to dive over just before halftime. Sneyd’s remarkable touchline conversion on the hooter put Warrington ahead 6-2 at the break.
Hull KR’s first points came from Mikey Lewis, the reigning Man of Steel, who calmly slotted a penalty goal in the 24th minute following a high tackle by Ben Currie. Lewis, wearing the retired No6 jersey in honor of club legend Roger Millward, who passed away in 2016, was a figure of resilience despite struggling at times during the match. His composure under pressure was vital, especially in the dying moments.
The second half was a cagey affair, with few clear scoring opportunities. Warrington’s defense remained resolute, frustrating the Robins’ attempts to break through. Lewis responded to a handling error by smashing a 70-metre drop-out into touch, regaining possession and momentum for Hull KR. Warrington’s Sneyd continued to pepper the Robins’ territory with precise kicks, including a sublime 20/40 kick that seemed to shift the balance in their favor late in the game.
But with just under three minutes remaining, the game turned on a moment of brilliance and fortune. Tyrone May’s grubber kick caused confusion in the Warrington defense, as young Arron Lindop failed to gather the ball cleanly. Tom Davies, whose only previous Wembley experience was withdrawing from a final for Wigan as a youngster, reacted instinctively to pounce on the loose ball and ground it just before it rolled into touch. The decision to award the try was hotly debated, but former England forward Jon Wilkin explained that under international laws, a try can be awarded if the attacking player exerts downward pressure on the ball, even if the defender had touched it with his chest. The Rugby Football League confirmed that the try was correctly given.
With the scores locked at 6-6, all eyes turned to Mikey Lewis. From out wide, he calmly slotted the conversion, sending the Hull KR fans into raptures and securing an 8-6 lead with 90 seconds remaining. The Robins held on in a frantic finale, their defense withstanding Warrington’s desperate attempts to claw back the lead.
The scenes that followed were pure euphoria. Willie Peters, running around the touchline, expressed his pride: “It’s the highest moment of my career. There’s a lot of people here, and who aren’t here sadly, that have contributed to this moment. The players can now take belief from this to go and do it again.” Mikey Lewis reflected on the journey: “It wasn’t our best performance, but that’s what tough teams do. The heartbreak two or three years ago really sums it up. These are finals I want to play for the rest of my career at this club, I love it, and hopefully we can go again.”
Warrington coach Sam Burgess was gracious despite the sting of defeat, stating, “You don’t always get what you deserve and I don’t think we deserved to lose today. It’ll be tough for the players to understand because they won’t feel like they should have lost.” Meanwhile, Marc Sneyd acknowledged the fine margins that decided the game: “Hull KR know how to play for 80 minutes, unfortunately we only played for 78 today. Just very unfortunate. I feel for Arron Lindop there so we’ll get round him and sort him out.”
The victory was not just a triumph on the field but a symbolic moment for the club and its supporters. Neil Hudgell, the Hull KR owner who has rescued the club from financial peril multiple times, finally had the silverware his dedication deserved. Fans who traveled from Hull and beyond were seen weeping with joy, celebrating the end of decades of frustration and near misses.
In contrast, the women’s Challenge Cup final saw Wigan Warriors dominate St Helens 42-6, underlining their growing supremacy in women’s rugby league. Wigan’s emphatic victory included tries from Megan Williams, Mary Coleman, and Emily Veivers, marking their first Challenge Cup win and setting a new standard in the Women’s Super League era.
Back at Wembley, the 2025 men’s final will be remembered as a classic. Hull KR’s resilience, tactical nous, and unyielding spirit finally bore fruit, with Mikey Lewis and Tom Davies etching their names into club history. As East Hull’s red and white colors painted the stands, this triumph was more than a trophy—it was a long-awaited vindication and a beacon for future glory.
The Challenge Cup has a new champion, and for Hull Kingston Rovers, the wait is over.
