# 2014 Challenge Cup final

The 2014 Challenge Cup final was the 113th cup-deciding game of the rugby league 2014 Challenge Cup season. It was held at Wembley Stadium in London on 23 August 2014, kick off 15:00. The final was contested by Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos. The game saw Leeds beat Castleford by 23 points to 10.

## Background

The 2014 Challenge Cup final would be Castleford Tigers's first cup final of the Super League era, having last featured as runners-up to Wigan Warriors in the 1992 Challenge Cup final. By contrast, their opponents, Leeds Rhinos, have featured in nine Challenge Cup finals during that period since 1992 but only winning one of them: the 1999 Challenge Cup final, the last at the original Wembley Stadium.

## Route to the final
### Castleford Tigers

As a 2013 Super League team, Castleford Tigers entered in at the fourth round. They drew Championship side Batley Bulldogs beating them by 48 points to 10. The fifth round saw the Tigers face Championship opposition again, in the form of Sheffield Eagles, who they comfortably beat 60 points to 16. The quarter finals saw them beat eventual Super League runners-up Wigan Warriors 16 points to 4, before a semi-final victory over Widnes Vikings put them in the final.
| Round | Opposition | Score |
| 4th | Batley Bulldogs (A) | 48–10 |
| 5th | Sheffield Eagles (H) | 60–16 |
| QF | Wigan Warriors (A) | 16–4 |
| SF | Widnes Vikings (N) | 26–6 |

### Leeds Rhinos

As a 2013 Super League team, Leeds Rhinos also entered in at the fourth round. A fourth round thrashing of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 60 points to 6 placed them in the fifth round where a comfortable victory over eventual Super League champions St Helens, winning by 20 points. The Rhinos faced Championship side Leigh Centurions, beating them 25 points to 12, before beating Warrington Wolves in the semis who'd eventually finish one place above them in the league.
| Round | Opposition | Score |
| 4th | Wakefield Trinity (A) | 60–6 |
| 5th | St Helens (H) | 32–12 |
| QF | Leigh Centurions (H) | 25–12 |
| SF | Warrington Wolves (N) | 24–16 |

## Match details

* Saturday, 24 August 15:00
| Castleford Tigers | 10 - 23 | Leeds Rhinos |
| Tries Daryl Clark ('13) Oliver Holmes ('47) Goals Liam Finn ('47) | Report | Tries Tom Briscoe ('5) Danny McGuire ('18) Ryan Hall ('25, '67) Goals Kevin Sinfield ('5, '18, '67) Drop-goals Danny McGuire ('77) |
* Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 77,914 Referee: Phil Bentham Player of the Match: Ryan Hall
| Castleford Tigers | Posit. | Posit. | Leeds Rhinos |
| Luke Dorn | . | . | Zak Hardaker |
| Kirk Dixon | . | . | Tom Briscoe |
| Jake Webster | . | . | Kallum Watkins |
| Michael Shenton | . | . | Joel Moon |
| Justin Carney | . | . | Ryan Hall |
| Marc Sneyd | . | . | Kevin Sinfield (c) |
| Liam Finn | . | . | Danny McGuire |
| Andy Lynch | . | . | Kylie Leuluai |
| Daryl Clark | . | . | Rob Burrow |
| Craig Huby | . | . | Jamie Peacock |
| Oliver Holmes | . | . | Brett Delaney |
| Weller Hauraki | . | . | Carl Ablett |
| Nathan Massey | . | . | Jamie Jones-Buchanan |
| Frankie Mariano | Int. | Int. | Paul Aiton |
| Scott Wheeldon | Int. | Int. | Ryan Bailey |
| Jamie Ellis | Int. | Int. | Ian Kirke |
| Lee Jewitt | Int. | Int. | Liam Sutcliffe |
| Daryl Powell | Coach | Coach | Brian McDermott |

## Post match

Leeds Rhinos won their first Challenge Cup in 15 years, having last won in 1999 and having achieved six runners-up places in that time frame. This marked their twelfth victory in the competition.