Halifax thrash Leeds as 10-try Hawkins stars in Wheelchair Challenge Cup final
Halifax Panthers retained the Wheelchair Challenge Cup with a commanding 92-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos, securing their sixth triumph in the competition. Rob Hawkins was the standout performer, scoring 10 tries and 72 points in a display that turned a competitive opening into a one-sided final.
Halifax led 38-12 at half-time after Hawkins and Leeds’ Josh Butler each scored twice, before Hawkins completed a first-half hat-trick and Jack Brown added three tries. Brown finished with four tries, Finlay O’Neill also scored, and Butler scored all four of Leeds’ tries; the match produced 19 tries overall. Halifax had beaten London Broncos in last year’s final and previously won the first four editions from 2015 to 2018.
- Halifax retained the Wheelchair Challenge Cup with a 92-24 win.
- Rob Hawkins scored 10 tries and 72 points.
- Halifax claimed their sixth final victory.
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The Wheelchair Challenge Cup is the main cup competition in British wheelchair rugby league, a sport for athletes with physical disabilities. The final is the most important match in the tournament.
Halifax Panthers and Leeds Rhinos are among the leading teams in wheelchair rugby league. Halifax are the defending champions, having won this competition six times previously, including four consecutive victories between 2015 and 2018.
Rob Hawkins is one of Halifax's prominent players. Wheelchair rugby league is a growing sport in Britain, and major finals like this provide a significant platform for elite-level athletes.