Rob Hawkins crossed the try line 10 times, scoring 72 of his team's 92 points, as Halifax Panthers crushed Leeds Rhinos 92-24 to win their sixth Wheelchair Challenge Cup on Saturday.
The match, played in front of a passionate crowd, was one for the record books. When the final whistle blew, 19 tries had been scored across the game — nearly one try every four minutes.
"It was an incredible performance," said Halifax coach. "Rob was unstoppable today."
The game started as a tight contest. Josh Butler, playing for Leeds, scored two quick tries early on. But Hawkins — the Panthers' star player — answered with tries of his own, including a spectacular effort in the corner to complete his hat-trick. By halftime, Halifax had built a commanding 38-12 lead.
Jack Brown also shone for the Panthers, scoring four tries himself. Finlay O'Neill added to the tally, and the team never let their foot off the gas.
Leeds fought hard. Butler finished with four tries, matching Brown's total. But it was never enough to close the gap.
The victory marks Halifax's second consecutive Challenge Cup win. They beat London Broncos in last year's final. Before that, the team dominated the competition's early years, winning the first four editions from 2015 to 2018.
The Panthers now have six titles total — more than any other team in the tournament's history.
For wheelchair rugby league fans, the win reinforces Halifax's status as the team to beat. For the sport itself, high-scoring finals like this one help draw new audiences and inspire young players across the country.
The next challenge? Doing it all again next year.