19 May 2023

Leeds and Wigan about to write another chapter

Leeds and Wigan will write another chapter in the history of the Challenge Cup when they meet at Headingley on Saturday afternoon, kick off 2.30pm, live on BBC One.

There have been 31 meetings between the sides with nothing between them at present. Each has 15 victories plus one draw. Make sure you are there this Saturday to see the action unfold. Adult tickets start from just £15 and only £5 for juniors. Junior members are entitled to a free ticket if pre-ordered. Book now at tickets.therhinos.co.uk

The first meeting in the Challenge Cup was back in 1899 when Leeds won 3-0 at Headingley in a 2nd round draw. This clash with the Lancastrians was spoilt through adverse weather, rain and sleet combining to make ground conditions treacherous, thus reducing scoring to a minimum. Leeds won through by three points to nil, Gregg scoring a try as a result of good work by Jagger and W. Glover.

In 1911, a record Headingley crowd of 24,815 witnessed a splendid Quarter Final game with Wigan. Leeds were Cup holders and had first half advantage of wind and rain, but were only able to establish a two points lead through a penalty goal kicked by Young. Wigan's second half task was made much easier because of a tactical error on the part of Leeds who withdrew Jarman from the pack to play him as an extra back. This was fatal as up to then it had been essentially a forward game. The Wigan backs now had a preponderance of the ball from the scrummages, and Johnny Thomas soon showed the way to victory.

In 1926, in the 2nd Round of the Cup Competition when Leeds deservedly won by seventeen points to ten before a crowd of 35,000. On this occasion Joe Thompson's goal-kicking was a vital factor - not in the number of goals he kicked but in kicking them when they were needed.

In 1957, for the 1st Round visit of Wigan, Headingley was besieged by an incredible crowd 38,914, with an estimated 5,000 locked out. They missed a titanic battle, with Wigan bravely discounting the loss of the injured Bolton, and the game balanced on a knife-edge of suspense five minutes from the end, as Ashton squared up on the '25' for a crucial attempt at goal. Would he earn Wigan the replay which none could fairly have begrudged them? Headingley held its breath, and Leeds were through!

There has only ever been one draw between the sides in the Cup which came in 1961, Wigan came to Headingley in the 1st Round and it was almost like 1957 all over again. Certainly, it was another grim tussle, with Leeds holding a 5-3 lead, thanks to a Hallas try and a goal from Jones, when Sayer, the Wigan hooker, was dismissed for tripping, midway through the second half.

Leeds, however, missed their chance, failing to take advantage of increased possession, and paid dearly for it when Wigan were awarded a penalty way out on the touchline. In 1957, from a far easier position, Ashton had missed. Not Griffiths! The ball sailed over from a magnificent kick, and Wigan lived to fight, and win, another day. Four days later at Central Park, a reshuffled Leeds team went down by 32 points to 7, our heaviest R.L. Cup defeat for 48 years.

One of the greatest Cup games came in 1968 in the semi final at Station Road, Swinton. Now only one step from those twin towers of glory. In the 20th minute, a perfect pass from Ramsey left Boston stranded, for Atkinson to embark on a glorious try-scoring run; if we needed a little luck it came our way just before the interval when Boston crashed through four tackles only to lose the ball in the act of touching down; if we sought to entertain, surely none present will ever forget that second-half display of dazzling virtuosity as we ran in four more tries to crush Wigan by 25 points to 4.

In 1994 and 1995, Leeds returned to Wembley for the first time since 1978 but they met the formidable Wigan side of the final years of the winter seasons of Rugby League.

Leeds finally gained revenge in the Fourth Round in 1999. After Barrie McDermott was sent off few gave Leeds a chance but the 12 men rallied and secured a famous victory that would set them on their way to end a 21 year wait to lift the Challenge Cup later that season.

The last fifteen years has seen seven meetings between the sides including the 2011 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. That was one of two wins for the Warriors, the other coming in 2007 at Headingley.

Leeds produced a comprehensive win in 2008 at Headingley in the Quarter Final with Brent Webb producing a masterclass for the home side. Then, two years later at the same stage, a dramatic late winner from Lee Smith in the rain took Leeds one step closer to a first visit to the new Wembley.

The last two meetings have been in the semi final. Few gave Leeds a prayer in 2012 after Wigan had run riot at Headingley earlier in the season in the league meeting. But Brian McDermott produced a master gameplan and the Rhinos established a lead thanks to tries from Zak Hardaker, Ben Jones-Bishop, Ryan Bailey and Ryan Hall to secure the win.

Then in 2020, behind closed doors at St Helens, Rob Lui and Luke Gale guided the Rhinos around to victory.

The previous meetings in full:

2020 (Semi-Final) Leeds 26 Wigan 12 (at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens)

2012 (Semi-Final) Leeds 39 Wigan 28 (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)

2011 (FINAL) Leeds 18 Wigan 28 (at Wembley Stadium)

2010 (Quarter Final) Leeds 12 Wigan 10

2008 (Quarter Final) Leeds 23 Wigan 16

2007 (Round 5) Leeds 18 Wigan 22

1999 (Round 4) Leeds 28 Wigan 18

1995 (FINAL) Leeds 10 Wigan 30 (at Wembley Stadium)

1994 (FINAL) Leeds 16 Wigan 26 (at Wembley Stadium)

1988 (Round 2) Wigan 30 Leeds 14