Luke Gale slams “terrible call” in Challenge Cup Final

As Leigh Leopards and Hull KR met in the first Challenge Cup Final without Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens, there was more than just a bit of controversy that added spice to a terrific game.

The controversy peaked with a decision not to award Hull KR and Tom Opacic a penalty after a Tom Briscoe error and with Elliot Minchella’s yellow card.

He was yellow carded for a late hit on Ben Reynolds who got up and the nailed a penalty to make it 10-6.

It was a call that upset plenty of people including current players and even a former Hull FC star in Luke Gale who branded it a “terrible call” as he questioned the sport saying “what are we doing?”

“Terrible call, what are we doing?”

What a terrible call. What are we doing 🤯

— Luke Gale (@snozzer_gale) August 12, 2023

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.