Challenge Cup triumph delights Sinfield

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The Rhinos have lost all three of their recent appearances at the iconic stadium - in 2010, 2011 and 2012 - with Sinfield featuring in the trio of Challenge Cup final defeats, but the Leeds captain finally helped to halt that run. 

Tries from Tom Briscoe, Danny McGuire and a double from Ryan Hall set Leeds on their way, with both of the latter's efforts coming after the winger demonstrated his power to break the Tigers defence.

A relieved Sinfield paid tribute to the effort shown by his team-mates to stop their Challenge Cup final hoodoo, which also included two defeats at the Millennium Stadium and one at Murrayfield since the club's last trophy victory in 1999. 

"We've been there [the final] a few times obviously and come away with second prize so [it is a relief] to finally get over the line," he told BBC Sport.

"We were really relaxed about this one and it's not been a crusade at all, we wanted to win it for the right reasons and it just shows sometimes that you have to persevere to come through.

"To lead the side out five times [in a Challenge Cup final] and have to walk up [the stairs] having lost is tough and sticks with you, but hopefully to all our fans, family and friends [Saturday's win] makes up for it."

Rhinos coach Brian McDermott heaped praise on the performance of his players as they dominated throughout and rarely let Castleford get a foothold in the game.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "It feels like we've finally delivered something. 

"The players are an emotional group and we're now experiencing a mixture of relief and elation.

"I wasn't the coach for all of six cup final losses, but it feels like I was. You feel that mounting pressure. It's been a long journey.

"Credit to Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. They managed it really well, and Ryan Hall's two tries were just freakish."

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