Saturday, August 29, 2009

Live - Challenge Cup final

Challenge Cup

Watch live coverage of the Challenge Cup final (UK only)


GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE

To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 with the word "RUGBYL" before your message (Not all contributions can be used).

By Pranav Soneji

30 minutes: Uh-oh, Kevin Brown heads down the tunnel wearing the expression of a man who will not be taking any further part in the final. Nevertheless, his team-mates are in range of Warrington's tryline, with Shaun Lunt held up by three Wolves defenders.

28 minutes: Kevin Brown attempts to engineer some Giants inspiration, but overcooks his chip for Leroy Cudjoe to run on to.

26 minutes: More pressure from the Wolves, once again targeting Cudjoe's flank with another testing high ball. However, the winger is more than up for the challenge, outleaping Matt King and earning a penalty in the process.

22 minutes: What a one-handed pass in the tackle from Kevin Brown for David Hodgson to touch down in the left corner, but referee Ganson's arms are up in the air again, this time to check for obstruction. And yet again the try is ruled out.

BBC Sport
BBC Sport's Elizabeth Hudson on Twitter: "I can tell you that Richie Mathers was 20-1 to score the first try. Warrington have started this game in superb form."

18 minutes: Lovely hanging high ball from Briers on the 20m line sees Chris Riley and Matt King outjump Giants winger Leroy Cudjoe. The ball is grounded, but referee Steve Ganson once again consults Phil Bentham, who rules the try is not legitimate because King was not in control of the ball when he grounded it.

14 minutes: TRY Warrington 18-6 Huddersfield
Awesome stuff from Lee Briers, whose crossfield kick finds winger Chris Riley in space on the left. The resulting play the ball sees the ball shipped out to opposite winger Chris Hicks, whose deft footwork ensures he's within play as he slides over for try number three. Chris Bridge adds his third kick with another very confident kick from the edge of the right touchline.

12 minutes: TRY Warrington 12-6 Huddersfield
Adrian Morley batters the ball out from Darrell Griffin's hand and Gareth Carvell pounces on the loose ball. And from dummy half Michael Monaghan sells a sweet dummy to slide over for try number three, with Bridge adding the two points with a solid kick.

9 minutes: TRY Warrington 6-6 Huddersfield
Disallow that one Mr Bentham - just seconds after seeing what looked like a perfectly good try chalked off, Shaun Lunt latches on to David Faiumu's subtle offload in the tackle to outrun the Wolves defenders, with Brett Hodgson adding the two points from the resulting kick.

7 minutes: A barracking run from Shaun Lunt sees him pierce the Wolves defence before extending his arm to ground the ball over the whitewash for what looks like a try. Only video referee Phil Bentham doesn't see it that way, disallowing the score for a double movement. Very harsh.

5 minutes: Very untidy start from Huddersfield, with yet another kick charged down, this time from Scott Moore. But six more tackles for Huddersfield inside Warrington territory.

2 minutes: TRY Warrington 6-0 Huddersfield
Unbelievable scenes - within 69 seconds Richie Mathers is under the posts following Brett Hodgson's clearance kick charged down by Louis Anderson. The big Kiwi is hauled down five metres from the Giants tryline, but the resulting play the ball sees full-back Mathers bundle over, with Chris Bridge adding the extras.


1433: Warrington's Lee Briers gets the 2009 final underway.

The sun is out
1425: Salford-born, Bradford-raised Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe leads the handshakes after a rousing rendition of "Abide With Me" as the flags - of all colours - flutter in a strong wind. The sun is belting down, although you can see odd patches of empty red seats around the ground.

Huddersfield coach Tony Smith on naming Micky Higham on the replacements' bench: "We thought he was a risk worth taking. We're down on a couple of half-backs and hookers, so he came back just at the right time. We got the all-clear from the medics and he keeps himself incredibly fit, so I've got a lot of faith in what he'll produce today."

BBC Sport
BBC Sport's Elizabeth Hudson on Twitter: "I've just spotted Luke Robinson's fan club 'Team Robbo' in the crowd - led by fiancee Laura and sister Simone. They'll lead the Giants cheers."

1425: If you haven't read Brian Carney's Warrington player profiles , I would thoroughly urge you to have a look, my personal favourite is Adrian Morley, although Gareth Carvell isn't too far behind. Meanwhile, BBC Radio Leeds' James Deighton gives us the lowdown on Huddersfield's players.

BBC Sport's John Sinnott, the desk behind me at Television Centre: "Flew back from Girona this morning on the 0630 flight to Stansted - lure of Challenge Cup final felt in Catalonia - a father with his two young sons bedecked in colours of Catalans Dragons on their way to Wembley."

Text in your views on 81111
Dean, York, text 81111: "I reckon the Giants have less 'enemies' than Warrington, and that most neutrals on both sides of the Pennines would rather have the cup go back to Fartown."

1415: A few gambles from Warrington coach Tony Smith, opting to slot Vinnie Anderson at stand-off - the Kiwi has not played at six all season - while hooker Micky Higham is recalled to the bench for the first time in three months because Jon Clarke has still not recovered from an ankle injury. No such selection concerns for Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown, whose side have been one of the revelations this season. Have a sneaky peeky at the full match preview.

1411: Huddersfield have beaten Warrington only twice in 10 in Challenge Cup encounters. But I wouldn't get too smug Wolves fans - both Huddersfield victories came in the final (1913 and 1933 historical stats fans, even Stanley Gene wasn't about then). So we've had history's say on matters, let's have your thoughts and opinions via the 606 website (link above) or text 81111 with the world "rugbyl" before your message.

Get involved on 606
Southsydneynrl on 606: "Defence wins big games and unfortunately I can see the papers and 606 now full of complaints about how Hudd's shut the game down and turned it into a dour game. Bottom line is, Brown will send his troops out to win the game with defence and if that's what it takes well that is what it will be."

1403: Talking of Eorl, big prop joked about having hair extensions attached since Bradford's Semi Tadulala attempted to ring the church bells with his long, blond locks earlier this month. You can see a picture of the Huddersfield mountain at the traditional Wembley walkabout on BBC Sport's Flickr photos.

BBC Sport
BBC Sport's Elizabeth Hudson on Twitter: "I've just managed to get pitchside and it's a hot day down there."

1354: If Arsenal striker Eduardo attempted his "grass-sniffing" antics against Celtic in the Challenge Cup final with Eorl Crabtree on the pitch, I would recommend the Croatian stay down for as long as humanly possible. Welcome to 80 minutes of jaw-dropping, bone-crunching rugby league at its very, very best.


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