Australian Luke Dorn admits he might have to pinch himself when running out at Wembley with Castleford after the Tigers booked their first Challenge Cup final appearance since 1992 following a convincing 28-6 victory over Widnes.
Dorn was a member of the London Broncos side embarrassed 70-0 by Wigan in the semi-finals last season.
But the 32-year-old former Sydney Roosters and Manly player, who has scored 16 tries in 18 games for his adopted home town, made amends by inspiring the Tigers to victory at Leigh Sports Village near Manchester on Sunday.
“It’s indescribable; I never thought I’d get another chance at it, but I’ve got the belief back in my game and it’s just amazing,” said Dorn, who previously played for Castleford for one season in 2008.
“Both sets of fans were fantastic from the get-go, our fans are great; I feel like I was born and raised in Cas (Castleford) the way they treat me – they are the best people in the world and I love them dearly.”
Castleford will now face Yorkshire rivals Leeds in the final at Wembley Stadium on August 23 after the Rhinos’ 24-16 victory over Warrington on Saturday.
The Tigers stormed out of the traps against Widnes – amassing a 10-0 lead inside the first nine minutes.
Liam Finn and Daryl Clark scored early on and quick hands from Dorn left Kirk Dixon with the simple task of touching down in the right corner to make it 14-0 at the break.
Jamie Ellis and former Melbourne Storm star Jake Webster added gloss to the scoreline in the second half before Jack Owens’s late consolation try for Widnes.
“We spoke all week about how good they were and what we needed to do,” added Dorn. “We had a specific game plan and we executed near enough to perfection.”
Meanwhile Warrington coach Tony Smith was left to rue his side’s slow start to their 24-16 semi-final loss to Leeds.
Much like Castleford, the Rhinos had built up a 14-0 half-time lead thanks to Ryan Hall’s try double and the kicking of Kevin Sinfield at Langtree Park.
But the Wolves – who beat Leeds in the 2011 and 2012 Challenge Cup finals – saw Chris Bridge cross early in the second half and a comeback looked on.
Joel Moon’s effort, though, on 52 minutes made it 18-4 and ended any slim hopes for the Wire of making it four Cup successes in six years as they eventually fell to a 24-16 defeat.
“We probably lost some momentum from the way we’d have liked to have started,” said Smith, a former St George Dragon.
“We applied ourselves enormously in defence, but you can’t give a team like the Rhinos that sort of ball in that sort of field position.
