Leeds Rhinos edged Salford Red Devils to claim their first Challenge Cup Final win in five years.
Both teams exchanged three tries in a thrilling match but a late drop-goal by Luke Gale ultimately separated both teams at Wembley.
Story of the match
Leeds opened the scoring as some neat handling allowed Tom Briscoe to score over in the right corner after avoiding the touchline by millimetres.
Rhyse Martin’s conversion rebounded in via the posts but the Red Devils soon struck back.
Kallum Watkins turned defence into attack after claiming Gale’s high kick, he then combined with Niall Evalds to send Rhys Williams racing 90 metres to score a spectacular try.
Krisnan Inu’s conversion levelled things up but Leeds were back on the attack.
Not long after James Donaldson had a try ruled out for a double movement for Leeds, they found a way through as Ash Handley finished off some superb handling by Richie Myler and Liam Sutcliffe.
Second half
The second half saw Salford turn things around to take the lead with two tries in just six minutes.
Pauli Pauli burst onto a short pass to barge over after the Red Devils cashed in on a knock-on from Briscoe moments before.
Then another high kick, this time by Tui Lolohea ricocheted off Leeds fullback Myler before the ball eventually found itself in the grasp of James Greenwood, who dashed over near the posts.
Salford led 16-12 but Leeds soon levelled things up once again as some neat handling by Gale and Myler led to Handley grabbing his second try.
Martin was unable to convert before both sides traded errors in the dying stages.
Gale was wide with a drop-goal attempt before an incorrect play-the-ball by Pauli gifted Leeds possession back.
Gale then stepped up and slotted over his second drop-goal attempt, putting Leeds ahead.
Salford attempted to steal the match late on but a crucial handling error by Inu close to the Leeds line proved to be the killer blow.
Leeds held on to the ball and saw off a resilient Salford side to claim the all-important Challenge Cup title and trophy.