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Betfred Challenge Cup - Fourth Round - Hull FC - The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan - 15th March, 2025
Wigan Rugby League Football Club - Match #4,982
Hello and welcome to Ancient&Loyal's match preview for the cup tie at home against Hull FC. We will be having a Challenge Cup theme for this one as Wigan look to secure the famous old trophy for a record-extending 22nd time. Hull FC will be looking for their 6th triumph and third at Wembley.
The Black and White's come to Wigan off the back of an enthralling 22-22 draw against Leigh Leopards last time out in what was, in my opinion, the game of the season so far as both teams shared a point each. It's clear that Hull FC are not the Dull FC of last year and coach Cartwright seems like a nice bloke with the right mindset to wake up the sleeping giant over the next couple of seasons.
Wigan and Hull last met on February 21st where it was a one-sided match. Wigan winning 46-4 in an eight-try demolition which also saw Jai Field grab the first hat-trick of the season for the Wiganers. Hull have picked up three points in the League since, drawing with Leigh and defeating Huddersfield by a point in late February. This will be Hull's first trip across the Pennines this season and should bring a decent following the The Brick on Saturday. Well, I hope so, as there is small cause for optimism at the moment in the black and white half of the City.
This will be the 210th meeting between Hull FC and Wigan in all competitions post-Northern Union. Strangely, Wigan and Hull FC have never met in the Rugby Union days and it was the coming of the NU that they first locked horns in December 1895.
It is early days so far in the League season but Adam Keighran has kicked 21/24 goals (87.5% success) so far. Taking over from Harry Smith last season (72% success) it's clear that these extra 2 points will be crucial in tight games later in this season. When Marc Sneyd gets going with Salford, it should be a good contest in the goal scoring charts too! The last time a player kicked over 100 goals was back in 2021 with Catalans' James Maloney registering 101 (87% success) in the League. The Press should do it the old fashioned way and have a list of goal scorers like in 'ol Sullivan's day! Will Keighran get to 100?
Coaches Quotes
"I think they [the players] have enjoyed this week. They look after themselves. They've not made too much of a thing about it, to be honest." Matt Peet backing up the Las Vegas victory.
"It's hard to explain. Nobody likes to draw. You battle for 90 minutes and come out with an empty feeling. Ideally, you want to leave with that winning feeling. John Cartwright after the Leigh draw
Recent Form:
Both teams sailed through their Challenge Cup opening fixtures with ease but there can only be one who marches on to the Challenge Cup quarter finals.
WIGAN - W L W W W
HULL FC - W W L W D
Out of the previous 209 meetings between the Colliermen and th'ull, Wigan have been victorious 142 times, with Hull FC coming out tops 63 times, with 4 drawn matches. In recent history, games between us have usually been quite tight affairs. Ten times within the past 10 seasons since 2015 have there been a score within 1 or 2 points at full time.
In the Challenge Cup, this will be the 18th meeting between the teams: Wigan winning 11, Hull FC 7.
The aggregate score between these teams is Wigan 305 Hull FC 203
The average score therefore is 17-11
Hull FC have been nilled twice in the Cup by Wigan (1963/2013) whereas Wigan have always managed to trouble the scoreboard operator.
Liam Farrell will play for the sixth time against Hull FC in the Cup, W3 L2.
First Match Challenge Cup:
27th March, 1920 ~ Semi Final
Wigan 12 Hull 5
Longest Winning Run:
5 Matches
7th March, 1963 ~ 13th February, 1994
Longest Winless Run:
2 Matches
8th April 1922 ~ 14th April, 1923
Biggest Victory:
January 17th, 1993
Wigan 40 Hull 2
Biggest Loss:
8th May, 2021 ~ Semi Final
Hull 20 Wigan 10
Perhaps the most iconic match played between these two clubs: The 1985 Final. I needn't say more as we are all experts on it.
This will be Wigan's 4982nd match in all competitions since 1895. This figure now includes the Cote Basque game which you will hear all about in the non-too distant future.
The other Challenge Cup ties this weekend: predicted winner in bold
Hull Kingston Rovers v. Oldham Bears
Salford Red Devils v. Bradford Bulls
St. Helens v. Leeds Whinos
Catalans Dragons v. Featherstone Rovers
Widnes Vikings v. Warrington Wolfies
Huddersfield Giants v. Wakefield Trinity
Leigh Leopards v. Batley Bulldogs
Here we have the inscription of the Graeme West from the 1985 final against Hull FC.
KEY STATISTIC
Only four current Wigan Warriors players who will be included in this weekend's matchday squad (Ethan Havard injured) have survived since the 2021 quarter final defeat to Hull FC:
Liam Farrell, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne
Ancient & Loyal Predictor
My last prediction between the two sides was woefully inaccurate. I said that Hull would win by 4... instead Wigan won by around 40 points! Although I did state that Jai Field was our key man I can take a bit of credit for that.
Knowing how professional Wigan seem to be at present and not letting 'fatigue' get in the way of a poor performance by thrashing Huddersfield in the end, I expect Wigan to have a soft week of training, get the energy levels back and have another trip to Wembley on the mind.
Let us hope that the Hull forwards had some energy taken out of them after 90 minutes play but if not, Ese'ese again looks to be making good progress for Hull so far this season and should be a threat if Hull so happen to get anywhere near the Wigan line on Saturday afternoon.
Key Player:
WIGAN: HARRY SMITH
HULL FC: HERMAN ESE'ESE (photo)
WIGAN BY 24
Photo: SW Pix
t'uther News this week
the only news this week is this:
rugby fucking league eh
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