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Current Challenge Cup holders Leeds Rhinos are heading to Wembley for the fifth time in six years after beating St Helens 24-14 in the semi-final.
The Rhinos have won all three meetings this year against St Helens, including two comfortable wins in the Super League.
Leeds, who were one point ahead of the Saints at the top of the table, will face the winner of today’s other semi-final between Warrington and Hull KR next month at Wembley.
Leeds began the game as they’ve ended their last two meetings against the opposition, as Joel Moon’s jinking run allowed Zak Hardaker to stride through an open defence and score the opening try.
Kevin Sinfield then kicked the resulting goal and a penalty to give the holders an early eight point advantage, before a surging run from Rob Burrow opened the space for Moon to then score his try after assisting the opener.
Saints were helpless for large spells in the first half, but managed to get some points on the board when Mark Percival ran home in the corner just before the break.
But Leeds began the second half the way they ended the first as veteran Jamie Peacock, who is retiring at the end of the season, ran home from 30 metres to give the Rhinos an 18-4 advantage.
But all of a sudden, St Helens responded in magnificent style, closing the gap to just four points after Andre Savelio and Percival’s second gave the 2008 Challenge Cup winners a glimmer of hope.
But England international Kallum Watkins sealed the victory by touching down the decisive try late on.
Leeds will be looking to defend their title, but they’ll be without Jamie Jones-Buchanan who suffered a series knee injury during the match.
