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Wolves Win Challenge Cup

Source/Author: Sky Sports | Posted: 08.26.2012

Warrington has seen off Leeds 35-18 at a rain-soaked Wembley to lift the Carnegie Challenge Cup for the third time in the last four years.

First half tries from Joel Monaghan and Trent Waterhouse helped the Wolves - who had beaten the same opponents in the 2010 showpiece - gain a narrow 12-10 lead at the end of the first 40 minutes.
 
However, Tony Smith's side proved to be irresistible after the break, crossing a further four times to blow what had been a closely fought battle wide open.
 
Kallum Watkins  did bag a brace of tries for the Rhinos but it wasn't enough to prevent them from becoming the first team ever to lose three finals in a row.
 
Warrington went on to score three tries in a 10-minute purple patch to give themselves some breathing space.
 
There had been little to split the two sides at the end of the opening half, the Wolves having broken the deadlock in the sixth minute when a series of offloads allowed Richie Myler to kick perfectly into space on the right wing for Joel Monaghan to catch and finish.
 
Ian Kirke surged his way over to get Leeds to level shortly before the heavens opened, Kevin Sinfield adding the conversion before a further penalty gave his team the lead.
 
In testing conditions, Waterhouse crossed on the left for a try that Hodgson couldn't convert, meaning another Sinfield penalty made it a two-point gap.
 
It seemed the Rhinos had forged their way back in front when Delaney touched down, only for his effort to be ruled out. Warrington responded in emphatic fashion to the let-off, Chris Riley and Ryan Atkins both sliding over in the left corner.
 
Ben Westwood's offload created the chance for Tyrone McCarthy to get himself a try, with a drop goal from Lee Briers leaving Leeds too much to do.
 
They kept battling bravely, though Watkins' double only made sure the final scoreline looked respectable as they succumbed to a sixth final defeat since their 1999 triumph over London Broncos.
 
Hodgson, who knows just what it is like to be on the losing side having played for Huddersfield against Warrington in the 2009 final, completed a fine personal afternoon with a try that he also converted as he became just the fourth Australian to be awarded the Lance Todd Trophy