The Super League Grand Final at “The
Theatre of Dreams” has become one of the highlights of the British sporting
calendar.The sudden-death concept for
the championship finale is not something new.The Northern Union hastily arranged a Championship Final in 1904 to
decide the Champions when Bradford and Salford
finished the season level on points.When the clubs reverted back to one league in 1905/6 they arranged their
own fixtures and did not all play the same number of matches, so it was agreed
for the following season to introduce a top four play-off to determine the
Champions.
Warrington appeared in their first Championship
final in 1926, by virtue of finishing second in the league and defeating
Swinton in the play-off match.They lost
out 22-10 to a strong Wigan side, who beat the
Wirepullers for the fourth time that season.Despite Warrington taking an early lead
through a Catterall penalty Wigan dominated
the final.Ned Catterall also converted
Alf Peacock’s second half try and skipper Freddie Ryder scored a last minute
consolation try after charging down a Jim Sullivan kick.
After a second placed finish in the league
in 1935 Warrington
again reached the final, but Swinton ran out worthy winners 14-3.Warrington
were outplayed for much of the match, however they did stage a second half
fight back when Billy Dingsdale scored a try.Full-back Billy Holding was stretchered off and near the end hooker Nat
Bentham was sent off in what proved to be his final match.
A sensational finish to one of the dullest
Championship Finals saw Warrington
lose 13-11 in 1937.Warrington
had been leading until the final five minutes, when Gus Risman engineered a
match winning try for Hudson,
which he converted from the touchline.Billy Holding kicked two penalty goals and Bill Shankland one gave Warrington a half-time
lead.A drop goal from Eric Welsby
increased the lead before hooker Dave Cotton scored what all Wirepullers
thought was the winning try only to lose in a frantic finish.
In the Wires Golden Age they appeared in
five Championship Finals between 1948 and 1955, winning the title on three
occasions.The first came in 1948 when
Harold Palin lead his side to a 15-5 win over Bradford Northern.Warrington
were much the better side and scored tries through Brian Bevan, Stan Powell and
Albert Pimblett, Palin kicking 3 goals.The following year a crowd of 75,194 saw Warrington
relinquish their title to Huddersfield.Huddersfield took a 13-0 lead well into the
second half before a Palin penalty got Warrington
on the scoreboard.Two tries in four
minutes from Roy Francis and Bill Jackson, both converted by Harry Bath set up
a cliff-hanger of a finish.Huddersfield clung on to win 13-12.
In 1951 the Championship went to Cumbria for the first time when third placed WorkingtonTown
defeated table toppers Warrington,
26-11 at Maine Road.Albert Johnson broke his leg after 8 minutes,
an injury which finished his illustrious career.Bill Derbyshire tore his shoulder ligaments
and Ally Naughton pulled a leg muscle.Despite these injuries Warrington lead 8-3 at half-time through tries by
Austin Heathwood and Jackson, the latter converted by Bath.Gus Risman inspired his Town team to a second
half comeback as made use of their numerical advantage.Austin Heathwood weaved his way over for his
second try, which was merely a consolation.
Warrington and Halifax
met for the 1954 Final, just three days after their historic Challenge Cup
Final replay at Odsal.Warrington missing three of their Cup winning
team claimed the only Challenge Cup-Championship double in their history.Four penalty goals from Harry Bath gave the
Wire an 8-7 victory, against a Halifax
side who were the better team on the day.
Warrington retained the title in 1955 with a 7-3 victory
over Oldham.Despite near-tropical downpours the pitch was declared fit to play.Both teams played great rugby in the mud-bath
of Maine Road, Warrington fully deserving their
victory.Brian Bevan forcing his way
over for a try and Bath
kicking 2 penalties to seal the title.
Leeds finally won their first Championship
in 1961 with a 25-10 win over Warrington.Leeds
dominated the scrums and the territory as Lewis Jones inspired his side to an 18-0
lead after 70 minutes.Warrington scored two late tries from Jim
Challinor, both converted by Laurie Gilfedder.This proved to be Warrington’s
last appearance in a Championship Final.The Champions ceased to be decided in this manner after 1973 when the
league were split into two divisions.
Pictures
From the top
Gerry Helme making a break against Bradford
in the 1948 final.
Skipper Ally Naughton holds the Championship
Trophy aloft in 1955.
The referee Ron
Gelder awards a try to Leeds in the 1961 final.
Brian Bevan scores a try
in the Championship Final of 1955.
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