Jimmy Lowes always stated it was his intention to make the most of this, his last Challenge Cup Final.

But he may have overdone it.

"The stadium was pretty much empty by the time I had finished my lap of honour," said Lowes after an emotional first trip to Wales.

"I have always said I was going to make the most of this day but there were not a lot of people around when I finally went in.

"But I don't mind, I am going to remember everything about this weekend - it has been brilliant."

And it was made all the more memorable by an amazing act of kindness by his skipper Robbie Paul.

The Kiwi has long been a keen admirer of the team's veteran hooker, describing him as an "on-field leader" and jokingly telling the assembled press after the semi-final victory that he hoped he could play as well when he got to "Jimmy's age".

But Paul made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his captain's right and allowing Lowes to lift the trophy aloft.

"I really have to thank Robbie for what he did for me," said Lowes, showing a touch of the emotion which has made him such a crowd favourite since his move to Bradford from Leeds in 1996.

"It is nothing we had planned. While Gary Connolly was up receiving the Lance Todd Trophy, Robbie came over to me and asked me if I wanted to lift the trophy.

"I did the right thing and asked him if he was sure but he just said 'no, man, just get up there'. So I did.

"It was an amazing feeling, you can't describe it. I just picked it up and gave it a big kiss."

It was the complete weekend for Lowes, who milked his inaugural trip to Wales for all it was worth.

"I didn't get out that much," he continued.

"But it seems like a nice place. The hotel was superb and the stadium was just fantastic.

"When we walked out for the first time, the noise just hit me. All the hairs on my neck stood up - I have never seen anything like it."

But Lowes had to go off with half-an-hour to go when he twisted his back and was replaced by Karl Pratt.

This meant for a tense time for the hooker, who was prepared to throw himself back in if need be.

"I didn't want to go off," he added.

"I couldn't be a passenger just for the sake of it. But I was ready to go back on if they needed be, but the boys hung on and we got the result we wanted.

"I was happy with my performance out there, I thought I kicked well and although I was disappointed to come off beforev the end, I thought I played my part."

Lowes was still beaming 24 hours later when he was handed the microphone in Centenary Square, Bradford, to address the 5,000 who gathered for the homecoming.

At last he has got his hands on the Challenge Cup. It has been a good weekend for Mr James Lowes, one he will never forget.