HULL OF A KNEES-UP FOR DAN
Hero Houghton helps end Wembley hoodoo
DANNY HOUGHTON says he can now die a happy man after writing his place in Challenge Cup history.
The hooker’s sensational tackle stopped Ben Currie from snatching a last-gasp win for Warrington – and sparked a Hull party that could last for days.
Houghton said: “We are legends for ever now. We’ll go down in history and to be part of history is very special.”
Hull have been tormented for years by rival fans about their Wembley hoodoo, having failed to win in their previous eight visits to the stadium.
Thrilled
Houghton was their only previous winner at the national stadium, having won the schoolboys’ curtain-raiser game as a nine-year-old in 1998.
And he is thrilled to finally lose that quirky claim to fame, admitting: “To win at Wembley as a young kid was unbelievable.
“But to get my hands on the most historic cup there is, is very special. I am buzzing. I can die a happy man now.”
There had not been a classic final since the Cup returned to Wembley in 2007 but this one made up for it in bucket loads.
Warrington looked to be heading for victory when they led 10-0 with 19 minutes left, thanks to tries from Matty Russell and Currie. But Hull clawed their way back with some magic from scrum-half Marc Sneyd, who narrowly won the man-of-the-match award ahead of Houghton.
One pinpoint kick put centre Mahe Fonua over and, with six minutes left, he created another for full back Jamie Shaul.
Sneyd landed both conversions to put Hull ahead and, thanks to Houghton’s dramatic try saver, they hung on for the win.
Coach Lee Radford said he expected Saturday night’s party “might end on Tuesday for one or two of us.” And prop Scott Taylor, one of seven Hull-born players in the side, added: “I hope it does. I’ll be very disappointed if it doesn’t.”
Taylor admitted he was concerned when Wolves clocked up a 10-point lead – and he then feared the worst again at the end.
He said: “Warrington were playing a great game and you do worry when you go 10-0 down, but we stuck together and that shows a lot about our character.
“But we wouldn’t have won it without that tackle by Danny at the end. My heart was in my mouth and I thought we’d lost.
“But Danny comes up with the best tackle I have ever seen and we win it. He’s one of the best players I have played with.”