Steve Norton: When Hull's key men failed to hit the heights in epic contest

IT WAS the final which had everything: international stars, a remarkable comeback, breathtaking tries, broken records and nearly 100,000 gripped fans packed into Wembley with a worldwide television audience of millions.

The history books show the 1985 Challenge Cup final – the 50th held at the famous venue – simply ended 28-24 in Wigan's favour but it does not begin to tell the real story.

Hull's misery at the Twin Towers continued, having lost there two years earlier and also in 1980, but they played their part in a thrilling encounter which is yet to be bettered.

The Airlie Birds had Australian Test legend Peter Sterling going up against Brett Kenny, the half-back pair who knew each other inside out given their stellar partnership for Paramatta and the Kangaroos but who were now on opposite sides, while Lee Crooks, Garry Schofield and a quartet of Kiwi international talent were also on hand.

But Wigan, who raced into a 22-8 lead early in the second half courtesy of Lance Todd winner Kenny's promptings, had their own gems in a young Shaun Edwards at full-back, the lightning-fast Henderson Gill and two-try hero John Ferguson, another import who had just flown in from Sydney.

Hull, with former Great Britain loose-forward Steve 'Knocker' Norton to the fore, battled back in an enthralling finish with New Zealand centre James Leuluai scoring twice but their spirited fightback fell short.

"We could have won it but the big players had off days in our team," recalled Norton.

"We were always big mates and still are so they won't mind me saying that but we didn't perform well enough, myself included.

"Nothing's ever been said and no-one's blaming each other but when you look at the video it shows; you can't really be off at Wembley.

"We lost it in the first 20 minutes. We never got a grip and Wigan were too far gone.

"It was a valiant effort. In fact, I don't think anyone realised we were that near at the end."

Norton, 62, will travel to Wembley tomorrow for a 25th reunion following the epic contest and said: "It'll be great to see them again.

"I'm back in Castleford now so it's been a while but we always have a laugh together.

"I can hardly remember much about the game itself apart from all the outstanding players who were there.

"I'll never forget the sight of a jet-like Brett Kenny, who just eased around Gary Kemble for that wonderful try.

"It was very hard at the time to get past Gary – he could really size people up – but Kenny did so easily. It was frightening.

"John Ferguson was my man of the match, though. He was sensational with those two tries opposite Dane O'Hara, who had a real nightmare.

"He wasn't the only one, though. None of us really performed.

"Our thing at Hull was to embarrass people with our defence. We always expected to win and subdue opponents. That was our plan.

"But we got Wigan just as they were coming into their pomp and they were a great side.

"The worst thing was not being able to win at Wembley for the fans. We won the cup in the '82 replay at Elland Road but we wanted to do it down there for them. They are still waiting for a first Wembley win now."

Norton, who forged a reputation as one of the game's finest ball-handling forwards, does have a lasting memento of that day.

"I won the sponsors' man-of-the-match and the prize was a caravan which was unheard of in those days," he said.

"I put it up at Ripon and have had it there for the last 25 years. It's been brilliant. I only took it down last year!"