Challenge Cup Winners 2024!

[morley pie eater]

A couple of things from an all round very impressive performance.

First was Harry Smith's kicking. Goal Kicking was brilliant, going up by six points rather than four was so important in what was always going to be a tight and tense game. His practicing paid off.
His field kicking again was brilliant and so much better than Warrington's. Made a massive difference to where Wire started their sets and put them on the back foot so often.
Well done Harry on both counts.

Second was the year of the win. It is 100 years since we first won the C Cup in 1924 and so poignant to win it in the centenary year. Brilliant, just says so much about the club through its history to the present day.

The first final to be played at Wembley was 1929 we beat Dewsbury 13 - 2 in front of 41000 fans


If you look into our history we have been a club who have been first in a lot of main events

#WhereWiganLeadOthersFollow #21

I'm with you all the way, Josie. That history needs to be passed on to future generations.

My great aunt Alice Dootson (nee Hamer) from Hindley went to most Wigan matches up into her 90s. How I wish she'd passed on some of her memories (and programmes!) to me.

As for the 1929 final, Syd Abram scored the first ever try at Wembley in that game. Syd was born on Liverpool Road in Hindley, probably in the late 1890s or very early 1900s. He played centre and occasionally stand-off. In the 50s and 60s, he lived on Arundel Street or Bridgewater Street in Hindley (I can't remember which), and I also came across him in 1974 when he had a couple of hours a day job for Norman Bibby, ex Wigan chairman, fuelling up lorries on Wigan Road in Hindley.

Syd's grave is prominent in Hindley cemetery and has "first ever try scorer at Wembley" inscribed.

[the pieman]

A couple of things from an all round very impressive performance.

First was Harry Smith's kicking. Goal Kicking was brilliant, going up by six points rather than four was so important in what was always going to be a tight and tense game. His practicing paid off.
His field kicking again was brilliant and so much better than Warrington's. Made a massive difference to where Wire started their sets and put them on the back foot so often.
Well done Harry on both counts.

Second was the year of the win. It is 100 years since we first won the C Cup in 1924 and so poignant to win it in the centenary year. Brilliant, just says so much about the club through its history to the present day.

The first final to be played at Wembley was 1929 we beat Dewsbury 13 - 2 in front of 41000 fans


If you look into our history we have been a club who have been first in a lot of main events

#WhereWiganLeadOthersFollow #21

I'm with you all the way, Josie. That history needs to be passed on to future generations.

My great aunt Alice Dootson (nee Hamer) from Hindley went to most Wigan matches up into her 90s. How I wish she'd passed on some of her memories (and programmes!) to me.

As for the 1929 final, Syd Abram scored the first ever try at Wembley in that game. Syd was born on Liverpool Road in Hindley, probably in the late 1890s or very early 1900s. He played centre and occasionally stand-off. In the 50s and 60s, he lived on Arundel Street or Bridgewater Street in Hindley (I can't remember which), and I also came across him in 1974 when he had a couple of hours a day job for Norman Bibby, ex Wigan chairman, fuelling up lorries on Wigan Road in Hindley.

Syd's grave is prominent in Hindley cemetery and has "first ever try scorer at Wembley" inscribed.

cheers Morley, some interesting facts from where i live . Turned 50 last year, and apart from a brief flirting with Leeds at Uni, been in Hindley Green / Hindley all my life. Currently off Sandy Lane in an old pre 1900s terrace (cant be doing with new builds ). Going to pop over and take a look for Syd as my grandparents and in-laws are in Hindley Cemetery too

[Stanfax]

A couple of things from an all round very impressive performance.

First was Harry Smith's kicking. Goal Kicking was brilliant, going up by six points rather than four was so important in what was always going to be a tight and tense game. His practicing paid off.
His field kicking again was brilliant and so much better than Warrington's. Made a massive difference to where Wire started their sets and put them on the back foot so often.
Well done Harry on both counts.

Second was the year of the win. It is 100 years since we first won the C Cup in 1924 and so poignant to win it in the centenary year. Brilliant, just says so much about the club through its history to the present day.

The first final to be played at Wembley was 1929 we beat Dewsbury 13 - 2 in front of 41000 fans


If you look into our history we have been a club who have been first in a lot of main events

#WhereWiganLeadOthersFollow #21

I'm with you all the way, Josie. That history needs to be passed on to future generations.

My great aunt Alice Dootson (nee Hamer) from Hindley went to most Wigan matches up into her 90s. How I wish she'd passed on some of her memories (and programmes!) to me.

As for the 1929 final, Syd Abram scored the first ever try at Wembley in that game. Syd was born on Liverpool Road in Hindley, probably in the late 1890s or very early 1900s. He played centre and occasionally stand-off. In the 50s and 60s, he lived on Arundel Street or Bridgewater Street in Hindley (I can't remember which), and I also came across him in 1974 when he had a couple of hours a day job for Norman Bibby, ex Wigan chairman, fuelling up lorries on Wigan Road in Hindley.

Syd's grave is prominent in Hindley cemetery and has "first ever try scorer at Wembley" inscribed.

In 1985, the BBC did a series around Christmas about sporting highlights of the year, with it not being an Olympic or international football summer. It included a 17yo Boris Becker winning Wimbledon, and Dennis Taylor beating Steve Davis at about 100am in the World Snooker final.

There was also a programme on the iconic Challenge Cup final of that year, including Harry Gration interviewing Syd Abram about 1929. Syd explained how he was taught always to give it the fast man if he made a break, but he explained how Lou Brown (I think - I'msure A&L will correct me if I'm wrong!) told him just to "keep going Syd". Lovely piece of TV!

[josie andrews]

The incredible stats behind Wembley win with remarkable performances on the hallowed turf

There were some remarkable performances as Wigan Warriors claimed a record-extending 21st Challenge Cup trophy with an 18-8 win over Warrington Wolves on Saturday.
Bevan French was named the Lance Todd Trophy winner with the majority of votes, while Liam Farrell (3), Harry Smith (3), Kaide Ellis (2) and Jai Field (1) also received votes by the media.

Breaking it down, the Australian stand-off produced the opening assist for 20-year-old centre Zach Eckersley and crossed the whitewash himself with a piece of magic, while he made 137 metres and 15 tackles across the 80 minutes under the arch.

There were some remarkable performances as Wigan Warriors claimed a record-extending 21st Challenge Cup trophy with an 18-8 win over Warrington Wolves on Saturday.
Bevan French was named the Lance Todd Trophy winner with the majority of votes, while Liam Farrell (3), Harry Smith (3), Kaide Ellis (2) and Jai Field (1) also received votes by the media.

Breaking it down, the Australian stand-off produced the opening assist for 20-year-old centre Zach Eckersley and crossed the whitewash himself with a piece of magic, while he made 137 metres and 15 tackles across the 80 minutes under the arch.

He also made eight tackle breaks - the most of any Wigan player.

There were plenty of standout performances at the national stadium from the champions, including an incredible 223 metres made by in-form winger Liam Marshall from 21 runs.

The 28-year-old always manages to poke his nose through from deep inside his own half, evident by the 95 post-contact metres - the most of any player on the field.

Fellow winger and Lebanon international Abbas Miski also received plaudits for his carries from deep inside his own half, with 176 metres made from 17 runs.

Full-back Jai Field was electric in attack and looked dangerous with every touch, with 137 metes made and a try assist to his name.

Hooker Brad O’Neill completed more tackles than any Wigan player with 36 across a 55 minute performance, and has certainly put his name in the mix for England for the mid-season test against France later this month.

Wigan made just seven errors compared to Warrington’s 15, while Harry Smith’s kicking game dominated the fixture. The Cherry & Whites also had a 78% completion rate, with Warrington’s at 69%.

The England international half-back made 15 kicks for a total of 434 metres, a display that saw him earn praise from opposition head coach Sam Burgess, who described his kicking game as ‘exceptional’ - while Josh Drinkwater kicked the most metres for Warrington but with only 167 metres made, proving a huge difference in the game.

Kaide Ellis’ 80-minute performance in the middle is to be applauded, an outstanding display on the big stage that included 117 metres and 33 tackles - the second-most behind O’Neill.

The Australian also made the second-most runs with 17 behind joint-top Smith and Marshall.

Elsewhere in the pack, Luke Thompson played more minutes than any other front-rower on the field with an industrious 57 minute performance - resulting in the most metres for any forward at 175 from 16 carries, as well as 26 tackles.

Wigan’s back three, back-rowers/loose forwards and props made more metres than their opposition.

Ethan Havard had the biggest impact from the interchange bench from any player across both teams - albeit with more minutes.

The impressive prop forward featured for 42 minutes, having been named on the bench with Mike Cooper starting, and made 101 metres from 11 carries, alongside 28 tackles.

Finally, a mention for captain Liam Farrell, who always leads by example. The veteran back-rower scored a trademark try on the iconic Wembley turf in an 80 minute performance, alongside 169 metres and 26 tackles

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... rf-4659536

[moto748]

When they showed all the flags of the nations laid out in the Warriors' dressing-room after the match, it looked like there was Stars and Stripes there. Who was that, then?

[NICKYKISS]

When they showed all the flags of the nations laid out in the Warriors' dressing-room after the match, it looked like there was Stars and Stripes there. Who was that, then?

Tyler Dupree I think. His grandad was a blues pianist/singer in New Orleans before moving to the UK. It was on the Superleague stories piece about Dupree.

[morley pie eater]

I thought it looked liked several imitations of the Angel of the North or starting to do the dance to YMCA

[morley pie eater]

The first final to be played at Wembley was 1929 we beat Dewsbury 13 - 2 in front of 41000 fans


If you look into our history we have been a club who have been first in a lot of main events

#WhereWiganLeadOthersFollow #21

I'm with you all the way, Josie. That history needs to be passed on to future generations.

My great aunt Alice Dootson (nee Hamer) from Hindley went to most Wigan matches up into her 90s. How I wish she'd passed on some of her memories (and programmes!) to me.

As for the 1929 final, Syd Abram scored the first ever try at Wembley in that game. Syd was born on Liverpool Road in Hindley, probably in the late 1890s or very early 1900s. He played centre and occasionally stand-off. In the 50s and 60s, he lived on Arundel Street or Bridgewater Street in Hindley (I can't remember which), and I also came across him in 1974 when he had a couple of hours a day job for Norman Bibby, ex Wigan chairman, fuelling up lorries on Wigan Road in Hindley.

Syd's grave is prominent in Hindley cemetery and has "first ever try scorer at Wembley" inscribed.

cheers Morley, some interesting facts from where i live . Turned 50 last year, and apart from a brief flirting with Leeds at Uni, been in Hindley Green / Hindley all my life. Currently off Sandy Lane in an old pre 1900s terrace (cant be doing with new builds ). Going to pop over and take a look for Syd as my grandparents and in-laws are in Hindley Cemetery too

My grandmother was born and brought up at a farmhouse right opposite the cemetery, technically in Westhoughton as it's just over Marsh brook from Hindley. I have a picture of her from about 1904 or 5, aged 13/14 standing outside the post office on Castle Hill Road near the end of Sandy Lane (it's now an off-llcence, I think).

Another "famous" resident of Hindley was Tommy Woosey. Wigan signed Colin Clarke, Phil's dad, in 1965-66 from Orrell RU. He took over as hooker from Bill Sayer who had been in the great team of the 50s to 60s with McTigue, Boston, Ashton and all.

Ironically Sayer, near the end of his career, signed for Saints who we met at Wembley in the 66 cup final. Even more ironically, Clarke was banned for that game, and Tommy Woosey (who wasn't a first teamer and wasn't even a hooker) replaced him - and this was in the days when the hooker's job was actually to hook the ball from the scrum.

In the final, Alex Murphy, Saints scrum half, exploited the rule that an offside in those days resulted in a scrum, not a penalty*. So every time Wigan had the ball, Murphy was offside. Result: Saints won the scrum, and the match 21-2.

Poor Tommy Woosey was never really heard of again. He lived "behind the park" in Hindley.

*The rule for offside was changed the following season so that a penalty was awarded rather than a scrum. This was a direct response to Murphy's unsportsmanlike antics in the 66 final, and applies to this day.

(All of this is from memory. If I've got owt wrong, please feel free to correct me.)

[medlocke]

When they showed all the flags of the nations laid out in the Warriors' dressing-room after the match, it looked like there was Stars and Stripes there. Who was that, then?

Tyler Dupree I think. His grandad was a blues pianist/singer in New Orleans before moving to the UK. It was on the Superleague stories piece about Dupree.

Champion Jack Dupree, lived in Ovenden for a few years, also Tylers uncle Billy Joe Dupree won the Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1977

[moto748]

I don't know whether this matters; maybe some fans will say it doesn't, but my posts on the Aussie NRL site I've posted on for years regarding the CCF got no response, and I was even irritated enough to say, was it even shown on Oz TV (I'm pretty sure that it was, cos it had been mentioned in commentary a day or so before). So after that, I decided to check the Sydney Morning Herald site. In my recollection, they have always had a match report on the CCF. But not, it seems, this year. I searched their site for 'Wigan', and the latest I found was whingeing articles about the WCC! Tonight, I just tried The Australian website, and it was exactly the same.