Wigan edge thrilling cup final

Former New Zealand international Jeff Lima was Wigan's unlikely hero with a brace of tries as they held off a stunning fightback by Leeds to claim their first Wembley success for 16 years with a 28-18 victory in a thrilling Challenge Cup final.

Lima had scored just once in his first 26 matches for the Warriors but he doubled his tally on 24 minutes and, after the Rhinos had threatened to pull off the biggest comeback in Challenge Cup final history, he struck again just past the hour mark to keep his side on top.

It was enough to earn the front-row forward the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.

Another Kiwi, hooker Thomas Leuluai, finally ended Leeds' brave fightback and made sure of Wigan's record-extending 18th cup success when he forced his way over for a fifth try three minutes from the end. Josh Charnley and Joel Tomkins also touched down for the Warriors.

It was the Rhinos' second successive Wembley defeat and their fifth cup final reverse since they last experienced victory in 1999 but, unlike last year against Warrington, this time they went down valiantly.

At one time they trailed by just two points, having matched Wigan's four tries through Ryan Hall (2), Ben Jones-Bishop and Carl Ablett.

However, captain Kevin Sinfield was able to add only one conversion and for a time his misses looked crucial until Leuluai went over late on.