2005 Challenge Cup
| Duration | 9 Rounds |
|---|---|
| Broadcast partners | BBC Sport |
| Winners |
 Hull F.C.
|
| Runners-up |
 Leeds Rhinos
|
| Lance Todd Trophy |
Kevin Sinfield
|
The 2005 Powergen Rugby League Challenge Cup was played by teams from across Europe during the 2005 rugby league season.
Katherine Jenkins performed at the match which was on 27 August at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and attended by 74,213 spectators. Leeds came to the final 4/1 favourites to win and stamped their authority on the game in the early stages with a penalty try which was converted by Kevin Sinfield. Hull fought back with a try from Motu Tony converted by Danny Brough. Hull took the lead for the first time through Gareth Raynor's try in the corner after a superb offload by Nathan Blacklock. Brough converted brilliantly to make the score 12-6. Leeds fought back and a try from Danny Ward was converted by Sinfield to draw the scores level. A dreadful Marcus Bai error in his own in-goal area as he tried to keep the ball alive gifted Richard Whiting a try for Hull which was converted by Brough. Minutes later Brough added a drop goal to make the score 19 - 12 to Hull. A Mark Calderwood converted try set up a tense finish with the score at 19 - 18.
It seemed as though Leeds were going to walk away with the spoils as Marcus Bai rectified his earlier error by grabbing a late try which was converted by Sinfield and left the score 24-19. To immense noise from the Hull fans, Hull-born Paul Cooke broke through the Leeds defense and grounded the ball down underneath the posts to allow for a simple conversion. The youngster Danny Brough capped off an outstanding performance by converting the try under pressure to make the score 25 - 24 to Hull. In the dying seconds Richard Swain charged down a drop goal attempt to keep the scores as they were and Hull held on for arguably the best Challenge Cup final ever. Hull overturned all the odds, beating champions Bradford Bulls and cup holders St Helens along the way.
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