A MATTY Russell try and Kurt Gidey conversion provide Wolves with a slender lead over Hull FC in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.

Tony Smith's men have been the more threatening of the two sides and enjoyed more of the territory but every inch is having to be hard-earned in warm, clammy conditions.

One belting hit by Joe Westerman on Scott Taylor set the tone as the two sides did their best to gain some ascendancy early on, but the loose forward took his eye off the ball in the 10th minute to spill early on in a promising attack.

Daryl Clark got away on one of his trademark runs from dummy half but after Stefan Ratchford’s kick the ball was returned with gusto by Steve Michaels, only for the winger to be crunched by Chris Hill.

The kicking weapon was then used to full effect by Chris Sandow, whose 40-20 was more like a ’30-10’ to hand Wolves six tackles on the Hull line for the first time after 14 minutes.

A nice move from the scrum saw right winger Rhys Evans crop up in the left-centre position and the Hull defence needed to adjust quickly to keep him out.

Hull survived but they were soon under the cosh again as another Sandow kick forced a repeat set from a Hull drop out.

Westerman slipped a couple of tackles and was then somehow stopped a few feet short by three defenders as Hull once again hung on.

Bang, crash, wallop – that was the arrival of Ben Westwood in defence as Hull tried in vain to stamp some authority on the contest.

Wolves continued to enjoy the best of the territory for a spell but crucially failed to come up with any points.

A relieving penalty allowed Hull FC to turn the tables and Stefan Ratchford needed to be alert to cover a Marc Sneyd grubber kick with Steve Michaels and Mahe Fonua chasing him down.

Wolves were able to launch another attack from a scrum 40 metres out after Fetuli Talanoa spilled a high pass.

Brad Dwyer arrived off the bench earlier than usual, moving in at hooker as Daryl Clark switched to loose forward while Westerman took a breather.

This was a clear sign of intent for The Wire to use fast men against big men in the muggy Wembley heat, looking for long-term gains by soaking up the Hull fuel reserves for later in the game.

Ratchford attempted to force a pass through quick hands and when the ball was lost Toby King reacted quickly to prevent Talanoa escaping.

Then came the deadlock breaker.

Sandow intercepted Frank Pritchard’s laboured pass and Sandow went 80 metres only to be caught by full back Jamie Shaul two metres from the try line.

From the play-the-ball though, Matty Russell darted in and out of the defenders who had scrambled back to the line to just find enough space to diver over in the 34th minute.

Kurt Gidley made no mistakes with the extras for a 6-0 lead that had been very hard earned.

Russell caught a knee going down in a tackle a few minutes later but after some treatment he was good to go again.

Fine game management from Kurt Gidley saw him dribble the ball into touch near the Hull line as the clock hit the 39th minute mark.

A potential drop-goal attempt from Sandow on the stroke of half time never materialised as he elected to run the ball instead but Hull were wise to his antics and the move broke down as the hooter sounded.