KYLE’S ALL SMILES
Amor the merrier for Saints
FOR Kyle Amor and St Helens, winning at Wembley was about much more than just lifting this year’s Challenge Cup.
It was about completing a set of domestic honours and securing a lasting legacy for a team that has dominated much of the last four seasons of rugby league.
Table-toppers in 2018 and by a record margin in 2019, Saints also lifted the title with Grand Final wins in the last two seasons.
But the Challenge Cup had eluded them since all the way back in 2008, a fact Kristian Woolf’s squad could never escape.
“You’re reminded every day when you go to training and look at murals on the wall, the great players, the great teams,” said Amor.
“Championships, Super Leagues and Challenge Cups are always in there as well.
“This group hadn’t won one and for us to cement ourselves as one of the greatest sides of the Super League era, we had to win.
“I know you shouldn’t really compare eras and teams but we’ve dominated over the last couple of years. For us to win that one was massive.
“I’ve been here eight years now and it’s something that’s missed us time and time again. The final in 2019 (against Warrington) – I’ve never felt like that after a defeat in my life.
“I’m normally quite good at rationalising things and putting things into perspective but that really rattled me.
“To be stood here now with this medal round my neck will live with me forever.
“We’ve got such a togetherness and inner belief and it just epitomised it in that game
– to be behind and come back and dictate in the second half.”
Saints could have been further behind than the 6-12 they trailed at half-time, after Castleford tries from Lance Todd Trophy winner
Niall Evalds and Jake Trueman put them in control following Theo Fages’ opener.
But all four St Helens substitutes, including Amor, made a significant impact as Woolf’s side slowly turned the screw in a gripping contest.
Tireless skipper James Roby hauled his team back into the contest with a disputed try that took several video referee replays, before Tommy Makinson touched down and two Lachlan Coote penalties put Saints two scores in front.
It was then left to 33-yearold Amor to put the final seal on victory with a rousing and rare late try on an unforgettable day.