MARSHALL ROAR
Huddersfield 14 Wigan 16
TUI LOLOHEA was left inconsolable afterwigan pulled off a great Challenge Cup final escape. The Huddersfield full back had been brilliant as the Giants closed in on a first win in this famous competition since 1953.
But his four misses from five goal attempts always looked like coming back to bite him and Huddersfield on the backside in this tense battle.
And with three minutes left, their worst fears came true at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Warriors scrum half Harry Smith’s deft kick to the left corner landed perfectly for winger Liam Marshall to race past the helpless Lolohea.
Marshall (right) roared in triumph after touching down to nudgewigan into the lead – and left Lolohea distraught as the final hooter sounded shortly afterwards.
Giants boss Ian Watson said: “Goal kickers are always going to get labelled but we still could have won.
“I have had a good chat with him. Tui is beating himself up for not kicking the goals but there were other situations where we lost the game, which we need to look at rather than just focus on the kicking.
“It is massively tough to take because the boys put in an enormous shift and I thought we were the best team for large periods of the game.”
Victory in this superb contest was a record-extending 20th cup final win for thewarriors but a first since 2013 and a first for Matt
Peet as head coach.
The 38-year-old who took over this season and is the youngest coach in Super
League said: “I can sit here really proud that we have created memories for lots of people.
“I know our team belong and have a moment in history. It is only teams that win on big occasions that get remembered properly.”
Lolohea kicked an early penalty before Giants deservedly grabbed the first try.two Smith mistakes led to a great Huddersfield move ending in Lolohea putting Ricky Leutele over.
Smith settled the Warriors’ jitters, racing on to the offload by Morgan Smithies, and then landed the conversion to make it 6-6.
Huddersfield deservedly went in ahead at the break 10-6, with another moment of class from Lolohea sending in back rower Chris Mcqueen.
A blistering break by Bevan French gave Wigan danger man Jai Field the opening he needed.
Smith added the conversion to put them ahead, with Lolohea then missing a penalty.
Jermaine Mcgillvary put the Giants back in front 14-12 but Marshall’s late winner ended their dreams.