Challenge Cup

Mikey Lewis words, rethink needed, Junior Nsemba and Challenge Cup final moments you may have missed

by
Will Jackson
June 8, 2025

Hull KR are the first silverware winners of the 2025 season after beating Warrington Wolves to lift the Challenge Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The Robins trailed for much of the contest, but they came up with the goods late on as Tom Davies touched down in the final few minutes of the game to deliver the glory. It’s a moment that will go down in Robins folklore, with Mikey Lewis keeping his cool to slot the all important conversion in the 8-6 win.

Warrington Wolves can be proud of their efforts, but Sam Burgess’ side were beaten by a resilient, gritty and united team, who pulled through for their adoring fans in east Hull.

Here’s a few moments you might have missed from the Challenge Cup final and the captain’s run the day before.

Lewis into Tai

Warrington were the better team from the off against KR and they were the most threatening side from the off at Wembley Stadium. They looked capable of finding joy on their right edge, too, with Rodrick Tai and Josh Thewlis advancing.

That was until Tai flicked a ridiculous pass into the Wembley stands, missing his target of Thewlis by some distance. That poor piece of play released all the pressure the Wolves had managed to build up and it’s fair to say Lewis let them know about it.

Bumping into the shoulder of the disappointed Thewlis, Lewis could be seen getting in the face of Tai and politely letting him know what he thought of that pass out of the back.

Robbie Hunter-Paul on his toes

BBC’s pre-match coverage always tries to offer a different perspective and Robbie Hunter-Paul loves to get amongst the team warm-ups to highlight dangermen and what to watch out for. What you won’t have seen on telly, though, was how often the former Bradford Bulls man found himself having to jump out of the way of team warm-ups.

With balls flying everywhere, the pre-match warm-up can often look like chaos to the untrained eye and Hunter-Paul, accompanied by a camera man, tried his best to get BBC viewers closer to the action. But, there was just a couple of moments where he had to be on his toes.

1895 Cup rethink needed

Hull KR’s celebrations were just getting underway behind the sticks on the Wembley pitch when they were joined on the turf by York Knights and Featherstone Rovers, who had to warm themselves up ahead of the 1895 Cup final.

It was an emotional moment for the thousands of Robins fans, and the players and staff were rightly spending time with those who had made the trip down to cheer them onto glory. However, just a few minutes after their trophy lift, it became clear that KR were obstructing the warm-ups for the next game, especially with kicking practice taking place.

What followed was a moment that felt as though the Challenge Cup winners were almost hurried off the field and down the tunnel instead of being allowed to soak it up on the field. A schedule change is certainly needed on that front next year to give the winners on the day the time they deserve to celebrate.

Lewis v Currie

A verbal battle broke out in the second half between Lewis and Warrington Wolves loose forward Ben Currie, with the Wire man taking the opportunity to give Lewis a taste of his own medicine.

When Lewis spilled the ball close to his own try line, Currie took the opportunity to rub the the Rovers stand-off’s nose in it and he had a another little nibble at the England man moments later when he conceded a drop out.

However, Lewis delivered a moment of magic from that drop out, finding touch with an inch perfect kick to carry his side up and field and out of danger. Who did Lewis make a beeline for as he rushed up into Warrington territory? You guessed it, Currie.

A surprise face at Captain’s Run

Prior to Warrington Wolves arrival at Wembley on Friday afternoon, Wigan Warriors man Junior Nsemba was spotted by members of the media at the national stadium. The back-rower was wearing an England shirt and he was on promo duty ahead of this autumn’s Ashes.

Of course, he stuck around for the final the next day and was interviewed by the BBC prior to kick off. He was one of several Super League players spotted on the day with Wakefield Trinity’s Mike McMeeken and Hull FC man Liam Knight in attendance, too.

There was a little scoop to be had at Captain’s Run, as well, with the first adverts spotted for the new video game Rugby League 26, which will be released soon.