Warrington Wolves in The Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is rugby league's oldest and most prestigious competition in the world. Every year teams from England, France and Russia compete for that place at Wembley Stadium at the end of the season. The current holders are the Wigan Warriors, who won the competition in 2011.
The Warrington Wolves have been very successful in the Challenge Cup, winning it seven times. They have competed in many thrilling finals, as shown below:
1905
1905 would prove to be the first season in which the Warrington Wolves would win the Challenge Cup, however, it was not their first appearance. Warrington appeared in the previous years final of 1904, losing narrowly to Halifax 8-3. The final of 1905 resulted in a win for Warrington over Hull KR, the final score, 6-0.
1907
The wait for another Challenge Cup for Warrington was only a short one, as after only two years after winning their first Challenge cup, they won it again, for the second time. The game was won convincingly 17-3, a victory over Oldham.
1950
Although it took Warrington 47 years to lift another challenge cup, it wasn't their only final appearance. Warrington appeared in 4 previous finals, losing in each one. The teams that Warrington lost out to in those finals were Leeds, Swinton and Huddersfield, twice. In the final of 1950, however, the Wire defeated close rivals Widnes 19-0 to claim their third challenge cup triumph.
1954
The Wire won the cup again in 1954, defeating Halifax in a final replay after they drew the original final 4-4. The next season of 1955, would prove to be a premiership winning season as the Wire lifted the premiership for the third time. This time, however, proved to be Warrington's last league championship as the Wire have failed to win the league since.
1974
20 years after winning the challenge cup for a fourth time, Warrington were back at Wembley where they would face Featherstone in the final. Although the Wire were experienced dim times at Wilderspool, they managed to win the cup, with a team captained by legend Alex Murphy, whom would later become the only man to win the challenge cup with 3 teams, St.Helens, Warrington and Leigh. The final was won by Warrington by a score of 24-9
2009
Warrington, similar to 1974, upset the odds to win the challenge cup for a sixth time in 2009. In a somewhat unsuccessful era for Warrington in the Super League, the Wire struggled to make it to the play-offs most seasons, and in 2002 were battling for survival and their status in the Super League. 2009 was a similar season to 2002, as the Wire finished 10th in the league, the same as in 2002. There was no relegation that season, so not much was at stake for the Wire. Warrington made it to the quarter finals of the cup after beating York and Feathersone in round 4 and 5. In the quarterfinal, Warrington beat Hull KR in dramatic fashion with a drop goal in extra-time. The semifinals would mean Warrington drawing old rivals Wigan, and Huddersfield drawing St. Helens. Odds were for a Saints Wigan final in 2009, but the tables were turned, as Warrington beat Wigan 39-26, and Huddersfield beating Saints, 24-14. In the final, Warrington won the game, which was a close fought contest, 25 points to 16.
2010
For the first time in the club's history, Warrington won consecutive challenge cups. The Wire finished third in the league table and won the challenge cup for the seventh time. In a good tournament for the Wolves, they knocked out Featherstone and Huddersfield in rounds 4 and 5. The quarter finals brought a trip to Odsal, as the Wire would face Bradford Bulls in the quarterfinals. In an edgy game, Warrington came out victorious, winning 26 points to 22, and sending Warrington through to the semi's, where they would face the Catalan Dragons. The Dragons were swept away by a much stronger Warrington side, who beat Catalan 54-12 in the end. In the other semi-final, Leeds beat Saints to make it a Leeds - Warrington final. Not much could be chosen between The Two sides as both were pretty even. In the end, Warrington made light work of the Rhinos, winning 30-6.
2012
After 2011's disappointing defeat in the quarterfinals to rivals Wigan, The Wire are looking to win their eighth challenge cup title as the Wire find themselves in yet another challenge cup final, where they will meet the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.