Derek Beaumont has tasted what it feels like winning the Challenge Cup Final for the first time after Leigh Leopards broke Hull KR hearts with a dramatic drop goal in golden point from Lachlan Lam to give them a famous win and a first Challenge Cup since 1971.
For someone like Beaumont who has pumped so much money into the club especially in the last few seasons taking them from the Championship and 1895 Cup to third in Super League and the winners of the Challenge Cup is truly remarkable.
He deserved this moment and he spoke on BBC after the game and he explained what it meant to them after the game.
“I have never been through anything has hard in my entire life. It was the worst game of rugby, not in terms of quality, but for me watching, it was the toughest thing I have ever experienced.
“One word – serendipity. For those who know, know. It was our time, it is out turn. Massive respect to Hull KR because what a spectacle that is.
“We are live on the BBC in front of a massive audience for the sport, it’s mainstream.
“Nobody deserved to lose that. But wow, all these people emptied little old Leigh and we have come down here, there is leopard print everywhere – what a feeling.
“This was a won or not game for us, not win or lose, because we have won just by coming here to Wembley
“I predicted what end the first try would be scored, I put a feather by those posts and then I think of the wind blowing Tommy Makinson’s ball in that semi-final.
“Something was happening here. Serendipity, the rugby gods have been smiling on us, fate, something was just written in the stars and I think this is one.”
It was great to see two new teams take to Wembley and meet in a major final.
It certainly lived up to the hype as well as both teams battled hard and we were given plenty of drama to sink our teeth into.
It will go down as one of the greats.