Wolves celebrate Challenge Cup success

Tony Smith's men, making their first final appearance for 19 years, got off to a flying start through Richie Mathers' try after 70 seconds and rarely looked back as Michael Monaghan - who won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match - Chris Hicks and Vinnie Anderson all followed him over the line.

Huddersfield, who have waited even longer to win the trophy after last lifting it in 1953, briefly drew level through Shaun Lunt and also scored through Brett and David Hodgson, but it was not enough to derail the Wolves' charge.

Warrington were able to find their best form on the big occasion and Monaghan and Lee Briers, the men who destroyed Wigan in the semi-final, again proved the match-winners.

Briers, who has waited 13 years to get his hands on some major silverware, was edged out in the voting for the man-of-the-match award by Monaghan, whose devastating play from dummy-half proved crucial.

This victory was also a personal triumph for Adrian Morley, who led his side to Wembley exactly 10 years after helping Leeds to their win over London Broncos at the old Wembley, and coach Smith for whom victory helped erase the memory of Leeds' defeat by Hull four years ago.

Huddersfield were a shadow of the side that defeated holders St Helens in the semi-finals as their key players produced below-par performances.

The Giants were also left to curse video referee Phil Bentham, from Warrington, who disallowed first-half tries to Lunt and David Hodgson that might have been awarded on another day.

Lunt, arguably Huddersfield's best player, was ruled to have used a double movement on the first occasion and then caused an obstruction on defender Chris Bridge, but on such borderline calls are matches decided. Had the video official been able to rule on the opening try by Mathers he would have spotted a knock-on by Louis Anderson from his charge-down of full-back Brett Hodgson's attempted clearance kick.

However, it was perhaps fitting that the inspirational Briers had the final say when he put over his 60th drop-goal for Warrington to put the seal on a terrific performance.