Rovers claim immortality and end 40 year wait

As all sides of Wembley held their breath, Mikey Lewis addressed the ball knowing not just the match but 40 years of history and longing was resting on his shoulders.

- By JAMES SMAILES

Ice in his veins, the east Hull hero became a legend as he struck the ball through the posts and one half of the stadium erupted in a combination of euphoria and relief.

The result many had expected and all Rovers fans had hoped for had arrived, but it had taken until the closing stages of a terrific Challenge Cup final for it to look like happening.

Tom Davies became the new Steve Hubbard, a solitary try scorer for Rovers in this second Challenge Cup final victory for the club.

The 8-6 win over a Warrington Wolves side who had Marc Sneyd win his third Lance Todd Trophy, saw Sam Burgess' team undone in late dramatic fashion in a game that kept everyone gripped throughout and will live long in the memory.

Rovers arrived at Wembley in a position generations of supporters are not accustomed to.

They were the favourites, clear favourites in fact, to brush aside a team that in Super League have so far only managed half the points of the league leaders.

The squad and staff were taking nothing for granted and neither were the supporters who have suffered for far too long to start investing in any belief of divine providence.

It’s testament to the growth of the club the past two years that they started the Challenge Cup final as such big favourites.