Following a nerve-jangling Challenge Cup Final, York Knights and Featherstone Rovers entered the arena to play the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final in the pouring rain as the stadium emptied of a large proportion of supporters after the main event.

Featherstone were favourites for the win and were handicapped by four points on the coupon, despite the relative league positions which see York in fourth and Featherstone four table points behind in eighth spot.

Yor beat Halifax, Widnes, and Bradford on their way to the final while Featherstone saw off the challenges of Keighley, London and Oldham on their way to Wembley.

After a close opening twelve minutes, Featherstone were delighted to get a penalty for an offside just twenty from the York line, Ben Reynolds kicking the two points to edge his side ahead it a game where it looked as though every point would count.

Toa Mata’afa went close for York on twenty-seven but dropped the ball as he stretched for the line. On their next set the Knights were awarded a penalty and from in front of the sticks Liam Harris kicked the penalty to level the scores.

On the half time hooter the Knights were given the opportunity to kick for goal and take the lead after Rovers were aught offside. Harris kicked the goal from forty-five metres as the claxon sent the sides from the field.

The hits were coming thick and fast at the start of the second half as the pace increased from both sides.

On the hour mark Rovers were awarded a penalty for a late tackle ten out from the York line, Reynolds kicked the resulting penalty to level the scores at 4-4.

York forced a goal line drop out on sixty-eight and on the fifth tackle Paul McShane was held up on the line, the next play there was a knock on, and Featherstone survived. Going onto the last ten minutes the game was still without a try, and anyone’s for the taking.

Featherstone spurned the chance of a drop goal on seventy-eight, the ball eventually going over the touchline. On the next set Harris attempted a drop goal from forty metres but was well short with his attempt.

The full-time hooter heralded golden point.

Two minutes into the first period York had first kick at a drop goal but Harris was well short with his effort. Two minutes later Hampshire had an effort for Featherstone, again woefully short of the target.

Eight seconds before the end of the first period Harris finally found the target from thirty metres to secure a one-point victory heralding massive on-field celebrations.

A tremendous game which didn’t really deserve a loser as ruthless defences ruled the day and both sides maintained their line for the eighty. There was nothing to choose between the two sides and the game was a credit to the Championship and a great advert for the competition after a close Challenge Cup final. The Wembley turf was graced.

York Knights: Mata’afa, Brown, Buchanan, Field, Galeano, Hingano, Harris (G 2/2, DG), Martin, McShane, Ta’ai, Dee, Bailey, Thompson.  Subs: Cook, Santi, Gannon, Hudson. 18^th Man: Pemberton.

Featherstone Rovers: Aekins, Olpherts, Hardcastle, Gale, Wynne, Reynolds (G 2/2), Hampshire, Springer, Jubb, Beckett, Day, Webb, Addt. Subs: Jones, Williams, Vuniyayawa, Arnold. 18^th Man: Turner.

Half-Time: 4-2.

Full-Time: 4-4. Golden Point: 5-4.

Score Progression: 0-2, 2-2, 4-2 : HT: 4-4 :FT:5-4 :GP.

Lead Exchanges: Featherstone – Square – York – Square - York.

Referee: Liam Rush.