Former Manly hooker Michael Monaghan inspired Warrington to their first English rugby league Challenge Cup Final victory since 1974 as the Wolves eased to a 25-16 victory over Huddersfield.

Monaghan scored a try, created another and provided the impetus as Warrington controlled the game from start to finish at Wembley.

For Huddersfield, skippered by former Wests Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson, it was a disappointing end to a fairytale run as they ran out of steam.

In a breathless opening first 20 minutes, the Wembley crowd were treated to four tries, three disallowed efforts and a wealth of running rugby as both sides looked to play an expansive game.

The Wolves made the perfect start inside the first two minutes as Richie Mathers drove over under the sticks after Louis Anderson had charged down Brett Hodgson's clearing kick.

But that lead was short-lived as the Giants struck back through Shaun Lunt, who finished a Hodgson break mere seconds after having a score chalked off for a double movement.

With Huddersfield struggling with Warrington's style, Wolves capitalised with two tries in the space of three minutes to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Firstly, Monaghan nipped through a gap to stretch and score, and moments later ex Manly and Penrith winger Chris Hicks finished off a flowing move in the corner.

Matt King and David Hodgson then saw tries disallowed for each side, before Huddersfield dragged themselves back into the contest just before the hooter when skipper Hodgson took a pass from Leroy Cudjoe to dive over.

The pace slowed noticeably after the interval and it was midway through the half before the next score, Monaghan's floated pass putting Vinnie Anderson in space and the former NZ Warrior did the rest.

David Hodgson did grab a late consolation for the Giants but it was too little too late, as Lee Briers applied the finishing touch with a last-gasp drop goal.

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