BRAD Singleton looked fondly at his Challenge Cup final winners’ medal and smiled: “I hope this is the first of three,” writes TREVOR BAXTER.

Singleton helped re-write the competition history books as Leeds swamped Hull KR 50-0 in the most one-sided final in 118 years.

But the proud Barrow-born prop and his Rhinos’ team mates are already re-focusing in pursuit of a rare domestic treble.

The Headingley outfit have one hand on the League Leaders’ Shield and are favourites to get back to Old Trafford for a crack at a seventh Grand Final win in 12 years.

“Hopefully, this will be the catalyst for the rest of the season and we can really kick on from this performance,” said the 22-year-old former England Academy captain after his first major final with the Rhinos ended in triumph.

“But to win the Challenge Cup is a dream come true.

“We nailed the game plan but credit to HulL KR I don’t think they ever gave up.

“They have got a few players who, had we switched off, would have got us. So, it was credit to our boys we didn’t switch off.”

England winger Tom Briscoe stole the headlines with his record-breaking five tries, beating Leroy Rivett’s previous best of four in Leeds’ 1999, 52-16 final victory over London Broncos.

But all touchdowns are special in a Wembley showpiece even from short range.

“It was only a one-yarder but I am just glad I got on the end of it,” smiled Barrow Island product Singleton of his ninth and most cherished touchdown of the campaign.

“It was a fantastic achievement of Tom to get five, but I will settle for my one.”

Indeed, Singleton, who signed a new four-year deal with the Headingley outfit earlier this month, was just pleased to be on the pitch.

He did not feature in last year’s final success over Castleford Tigers and was omitted from last month’s semi-final win over St Helens at Warrington.

But even in his happiest moment, Singleton sportingly had thoughts for unlucky Jimmy Keinhorst.

The German international was odd man out in 2015.

“I feel for him because I have been in that position,” said Singleton, who joins Ade Gardner and Ben Harrison as ex-Barrow Island players to have won the Challenge Cup in recent years.

“So, to get out there this time, to get over and get the win is a great experience. It makes it a lot better now.

“It was probably the right thing at the time. And maybe I needed that. So, having been through it definitely makes this feel sweeter.”

Barrow have not lifted the Cup since 1955 but there were plenty of Barrovians among the 80,140 spectators to see Singleton’s finest hour.

They were cheering loudest when he followed up Rob Burrow’s break to score the fifth of Leeds’ nine tries after 58 minutes.

“I’ve had massive support from family and mates back home,” he acknowledged.

“It’s only a small town, but they definitely get behind people.”