100th Anniversary of Warrington winning their first
Challenge Cup on the 29th April 1905
Warrington Northern Union Cup Winners 1904-5
The Wire were runners up in the Challenge Cup in 1900-01 and again in 1903-04, however in 1904-05 they won the cup for the first time, they repeated the victory in 1906-07. They then had to wait 43 years before the club won the competition again in 1950-51 and again in 1953-54 when they beat Halifax 8-4 (after a drawn game 4-4 at Wembley) in front of a world record 102,569 supporters although some will say a lot more actually got into the ground. The last time Wire won the cup was in 1974 when Wire beat Featherstone Rovers 24-9 in what many call the Murphy final it is said he bent the referee to his will ,and Warrington suffered when he went off ,but he was persuaded to return to the game and Wire recovered. I was there so I will concur with this view.
Ther story of the first win started against a poor Morecombe side, Wire winning 30-0 in the second round. Warrington did what they used to do best and that was to struggle against inferior opposition Keighley in this instance holding Warrington to 3-3, Wire won the replay 0-7 after the game was delayed for an hour due to the late arrival of the train carrying Warrington. Somethings it seems never change.
Quarter final opposition was of sterner stuff namely Wigan first half tries from Kenyon and Preston with Preston adding a goal. The Wire pressed Wigan constantly in the second half before Jack Fish ended the game with a try and a goal kick from touch.Warrington 13 Wigan 0.
The semi final was held at Rochdale and the opponents were Bradford. The game started brightly for Warrington with Jack Fish intercepting a pass near his own line and score near the posts, Preston adding the goal, all Bradford could manage before half time was a drop goal from Eagers. Preston added a superb goal , Jack Fish thought he had scored again when he got the ball down over the line only for the referee to deny him a score, nothing changes does it?.
The final in the early years was held at various grounds this year 1905 it was held at Headingley and the opponents were Hull KR. It was a showery day and the pitch was unpredictable under foot, there were few chances for either side in the first half the best comimg to Jack Fish who went on a swerving run to the line only to slip on the wet pitch.It was in the second half when Fish finally got a score, it was however somewhat fortunate, it was claimed he was held firm in the tackle but got the ball free and scored in the corner ( a double movement perhaps?) . The winner came after Davies had broken free and ran downfield giving the ball to Isherwood who passed on to Jack Fish beating many would be tacklers to place the ball beneath the posts to the cheering of the thousands of Warrington fans who had made the trip, the kick was missed but what the heck we won.Warrington 7 Hull KR 2.. Attendance at the game was 19,638, Huge crowds welcomed the team at Arpley Station the team then had a reception at Warrington Town Hall. A tram was bedecked in the teams honour by Warrington Transport . Picture.
The Team
