Wigan dominate Warrington to secure Challenge Cup glory

Wigan created rugby league history after proving too strong for Warrington, on a day when the sport came together to celebrate the life of Rob Burrow. The Warriors registered a record-extending 21st cup triumph with a deserved victory.

More impressively, it means Wigan are in possession of every trophy possible for an English club side: the Super League title, the League Leader’s Shield, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup. They are the sixth side in history and first since 2007 to achieve that feat, undoubtedly starting a conversation as to where they rank in the pantheon of great league sides – several of them Wigan teams who have also registered historic Wembley wins.

The death of Burrow, who died last Sunday four-and-a-half years on from being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, led to an extensive series of tributesbefore and during the final. That included the kick-off time being adjusted to 3:07pm in honour of Burrow, who wore the No 7 shirt throughout his career and won this competition twice.

There was also an impeccably observed minute’s silence pre-match, as well as a minute’s applause in the seventh minute. By the time that moment arrived, there had been a plethora of early drama, with two players sent to the sin-bin.

The Wigan prop Mike Cooper was shown a yellow card after barely a minute for a dangerous tackle on Josh Thewlis and the Warrington full-back, Matt Dufty, was also sent to the sin-bin for a high hit on Liam Marshall. With both off the field, the only scoring came from the boot of Thewlis to nudge Warrington into a 2-0 lead.

Warrington were a disappointment from thereon. They fell behind when teenager Zach Eckersley scored the first try, in his fifth senior appearance, before the outstanding Bevan French scored a magnificent solo try. Harry Smith converted both to put the Warriors 12-2 ahead.

Warrington had to score first after half-time to reel in a methodical and resolute Wigan. But they flattered to deceive in attack and as the game approached the hour mark, the Warriors struck a decisive blow when Jai Field sent Liam Farrell – the sole survivor from their last Wembley win, in 2013 – through to open up a 16-point lead.

The Wolves threatened to set up a compelling finale when Dufty cut through to reduce the gap to 10 but, as they have been so often in recent years, the Warriors were simply too strong in the final moments and held out to put their name into the sport’s history books.