Sinfield savours massive moment

Date published: 25 August 2014


OLDHAMER Kevin Sinfield finally got his hands on the Challenge Cup after Leeds beat Castleford 23-10 at Wembley on Saturday.

The 33-year-old Leeds skipper played in five of Rhinos’ six losing finals since they last won the trophy in 1999 - but two tries from Lance Todd Trophy winner Ryan Hall and scores from Tom Briscoe and Danny McGuire ensured their anguish in the competition came to an end.

“To finally get our hands on this is really special,” said Sinfield. “Not just for me and the guys who have lost here before, but the players, our family, friends, the coaches, the club and the fans. They kept coming down here, spending their hard–earned money and then driving back up the M1 disappointed.

“The word for me is perseverance. It has been 15 hard years to get this back. We haven’t deserved it in those 15 years, but this is special.”

With each defeat the desperation to win the cup increased - and that pressure was released as Castleford were beaten to give Brian McDermott’s men the silverware they craved.

“It will take a while to come up with the right phrase to sum up the feeling,” the coach said. “We have been striving for this for so long, and to eventually get it is a big feeling.”

Leeds never looked like losing the game, controlling play from the time Tom Briscoe opened the

scoring five minutes in.

Two outstanding finishes from Ryan Hall supplemented some incessant work from their forward pack and, when half–back Danny McGuire – who saw the game out with broken ribs – slotted a drop goal late on, they knew they were home.