Houghton hungry for Challenge Cup repeat

They begin the defence of their title when injury-ravaged Catalans Dragons arrive at the KCOM Stadium tonight.

Hooker Houghton, who pulled off a crucial try-saving tackle in the 12-10 Wembley victory against Warrington, said: “After that success and the memories created, it’s something you definitely want to do again and again.

“There’s no better game than the Challenge Cup final and after watching it as a boy it was a dream come true. But it’s in the past now and you have to start again. That’s what we’re aiming to do.”

With 11 first-team players injured, Catalans, who won at Hull earlier in the season, were only able to name an 18-man squad on Wednesday and a raft of youngsters could feature this evening.

But Houghton, who returned in Sunday’s 33-22 victory at Widnes Vikings after missing six games with a calf problem, said: “It’s irrelevant really for us.

“We need to get our own house in order. If we can replicate what we did in that second half at Widnes (they trailed 22-4 at half-time) I’m sure we’ll have enough.

“It was exciting. With some of the magic plays people like Albert Kelly and Mahe Fonua are coming up with, they’re getting us out of dirty situations and over the line.

“There’s a real togetherness about this squad, too, and that goes a long way to getting us wins.

“But when sides are struggling for numbers like Catalans it can be a banana skin, kids coming in wanting to prove a point.”

Houghton, who will welcome over 20 previous ‘Man of Steel’ winners to his testimonial dinner at KCOM Stadium on July 9, admitted: “It’s been frustrating watching. I’ve never had to do it for as long as that before and you think you can still do everything; you’re always the best player when sat in the stands.

“It was a bit daunting coming back on that (artificial) pitch (at Widnes). We did some training on one during the week but it was always at the back of my mind so I was glad to get through fine.

“I was named in the 19-man squad for Castleford but that was always touch and go and it was probably the best call in the long run we waited a little longer.”