Challenge Cup Final records disappointing attendance after “horrific problems”

The Challenge Cup Final attendance has been revealed and it is a little disappointing given that over 60,000 Hull KR and Leigh Leopards fans were expected at the final and even up to 65,000.

This would have recorded the best attendance since the 2019 final between Warrington Wolves and St Helens.

However, the 60,000 figure wasn’t reached but this is because it was a nightmare for traffic as fans were stuck on the M1 in a stand still which meant that 20,000 fans were not at Wembley for kick-off.

This was confirmed by Dave Woods on BBC who described the problems on the M1 as “horrific.”

So, a disappointment for those fans and for the game itself but one that can be explained away and understood.

In the end the official attendance was 58,213 but it should have been more.

It was a great game as Hull KR struck first. Elliot Minchella gave away that penalty but immediately made amends as he broke through and found Jez Litten in support to score.

A Tom Briscoe error nearly led to a Tom Opacic try as the ball was kicked ahead. Opacic was then tripped up by Lachlan Lam who went for the ball but it was deemed an accident and no penalty try was given.

Leigh then said anything you can do we can do better as Kai O’Donnell broke through in similar fashion finding Lachlan Lam in support to score.

Minchella’s strange day kept going as he was penalised for a hit on Ben Reynolds and the Leopards took a 10-6 lead as Hull KR went down to 12 men.

Hull KR then nailed a penalty of their own on the stroke of halftime to make it 10-8.

The second half started as the first one ended with a Hull KR penalty as Hull KR drew level at 10-all.

It was then a very tense second half as neither side gave each other an inch. Try scoring sensation Josh Charnley had a chance when he got the ball wide but was held up.

Tom Briscoe scores tries at Wembley like it’s his backyard. Today was his eighth Challenge Cup Final try in his fifth final appearance and his eighth in the last four. He struck a decisive blow in the corner for the Leopards after a sweeping move.

But that try was cancelled out when Parcell touched down to score in the 79th minute after a kick bounced off Zak Hardaker.

However, in the end it was Leigh who will lift the Challenge Cup after a golden point drop goal from Lachlan Lam won the game for the club.