Warrngton 1990 Challenge Cup Tries

Blast from the Past: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of Warrington's iconic appearance at Wembley since 1975. Although a disappointing result against the old enemy from Central Park, at The Twin Towers the game is still held long in the memory of Wire fans as a proud moment for the spirit, effort and achievement of making it to the final.
Having already won the Lancashire Cup against Tony Barrow's Second Division Oldham at Knowsley Road in October, and then crashing out of the Regal Trophy in the First Round against Sheffield, Wire's second attempt at silverware was the Challenge Cup which started at Wilderspool against Featherstone on February 27th. Paul Bishop's runaround with Rocky Turner put Captain Mike Gregory through a gap to step his way over. Turner converted then Bishop hit a one pointer to increase the lead to 7 nil. turner kicked two penalties before Bishop again ducking his way through the Featherstone defence to put Billy McGinty under the posts. Turner's converstion made it 17 nil at half time. Wire didn't press hme their advantage in the second half and Featherstone fought back with tries from Smales and Bibb and two converstiona from Fox made it 17-12. Wire were under the cosh when Turner's penalty made it 19-12 before Bishop's drop goal from acting half with a minute to go settled the scoring.
Featherstone had revenge in the League a week later with a 20-13 win at Post Office Road before Round Two against Trafford Borough at home. Bob Eccles, Norman Turnley and Darren Abram all returned to Wilderspool as underdogs to face their former club. Tony Thorniley kicked ahead a loose ball to put Wire 4 nil up in cold and very windy conditions. Borough struck back with a Tickle penalty and then to take a surprise 4-6 lead when Hewitt scored in the left corner. A Turner penalty and Turley drop goal ended the half at 6-7. Thankfully Wire put the pressure on in the second half and Thorniley put Forster in the corner, then Mike Gregory, running blindside from a scrum, sent Bishop scampering over in the corner to make it 16-7. Meadows pulled one back for borough before Thorniley finally wrapped up the tie with his second. Wire through 20-11 to face Bradford in the next round.
Odsal Stadium was the venue on 25th of February for a mudbath of a match. Offloads from Sanderson and Lyon put Bob Jackson over for Wire's only try. Turner added the conversion to an earlier penalty to give an 8 nil lead. A Hobbs penalty made it 8-2 at the half time mark. Northern's wingers Gill and Cordle gave brought the score to 12-10, David Hobbs crucially missing both conversions, thankfully Turner didn't miss his penalties and Wire hung on 12-10 for a Semi Final date with Oldham seeking revenge.
A hot day at Central Park awaited both teams. With Thorniley and McGinty out injured, Brian Johnson drafted in Mark Thomas, promoted Paul Darbyshire from the bench and then had to make a frantic last minute call to find Wiganer Martin Crompton on the morning of the match when Bishop pulled out through injury sustained at home. And what important contributions they made. Another low scoring game came with no points in the first half with Wire's poor handling at key points and Lyon's missed drop goal. Oldham struck first, with Irving scoring after 47 minutes and Platt converting for 0-6. Then the turning point as Johnson sent Thomas onto the pitch. On the hour his chip and chase forced a drop out and from there Thomas combined with Crompton to put the scrum half over. 6 all. 74 minutes gone and the game firmly in the balance Thomas conjured up try number two. He stooped for Mike Gregory's pass and then sent a looping pass over for Mark Forster to charge onto and score in the corner. Wire fans erupted. No conversion and breaths were held when Lord raced through to dive onto Mike Ford's kick through with time up, but referee Holdsworth judged him offside and all concerned with Warrington sighed with relief.
The whistle blew and Primrose and Blue supporters invaded the pitch. Wire were off to Wembley.