On this day in 1996: Salford end Wigan’s 43-match winning run in Challenge Cup

Drew Darbyshire

The Willows, Salford

Wigan’s incredible 43-match winning run in the Challenge Cup was ended by Salford on February 11, 1996. 

The Cherry and Whites progressed to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup after thumping Second Division side Bramley 74-12, drawing First Divison outfit Salford in the next round.

It was at The Willows where Wigan’s infamous Cup run came to an end, with the Reds running out 26-16 winners in front of 10,048 people.

It was the first time Wigan had been knocked out of the tournament since losing to Oldham in February 1987, nearly nine years previous.

Scott Naylor (2), Scott Martin and David Young scored for Andy Gregory’s Salford side that day, with Steve Blakeley kicking five goals.

On the scoresheet for Graeme West’s Wigan were Va’aiga Tuigamala and Martin Offiah, with Andy Farrell and Henry Paul on goal-kicking duties.

Today marks 25 years since Salford’s historic victory over Wigan in the Challenge Cup took place.

St Helens went on to win the Challenge Cup in 1996, beating Bradford at Wembley. Robbie Hunter-Paul won the Lance Todd Trophy.

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