The eagerly-anticipated Betfred Challenge Cup and #RoadToWembley returns this weekend, and there’s one man who knows this competition all too well.
Current Leigh Leopard, and last year’s Betfred Challenge Cup winner, Josh Charnley knows what this historic cup means to teams right from the off.
“The Challenge Cup is massive for every team involved. It’s great for the towns that they can come across teams at Championship and Super League level.”
Charnley has been fortunate enough for play for three different teams on four different occasions at Wembley Stadium – Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and most recently Leigh Leopards, so is someone who has vast experience of playing in Betfred Challenge Cup Finals, and what the journey involves if teams are to make the big stage.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at Wembley and be a part of both the winning and losing side, and it’s a memory that will last forever in the players’ minds, but also the fans'.”
His first two Betfred Challenge Cup Finals were in Wigan colours, in 2011 and 2013 respectively, and Charnley enjoyed an array of success as a Warriors youngster.
The opening try of the 2011 final was courtesy of Charnley himself, as he crashed over the line, and contributed to the 28-18 victory against Leeds Rhinos. This was followed by a 16-0 Betfred Challenge Cup Final win over Hull FC in 2013 – the same year Wigan completed The Double, and Charnley earned the top-try scorer accolade.
“2011 was my first time winning at Wigan. I managed to score the opening try that day and it’s probably one of the best tries of my career.
“It’s nice to look back at these big moments especially now that I’m coming to the end of my career.”
A string of Betfred Challenge Cup woes would follow at Wigan however, as they continued to fall short on the journey to Wembley. Charnley then decided to make the daring move to rival club Warrington Wolves in 2018, where he would experience his first Betfred Challenge Cup Final heartbreak, as the Wolves fell short to Catalans Dragons, 20-14.
“Losing finals is gutting. You work so hard as a team to get there and when you don’t quite get over the line, it’s a gut-wrenching feeling.”
They then “went in as underdogs” in the 2019 Betfred Challenge Cup Final, as Charnley describes - and had to change their approach if they were to go that one step further. A famous 18-4 win followed as they shocked their opponents St Helens, and Wire triumphed at Wembley for the first time in seven years.
And more recently, 2023 has told an unforgettable story for the Leigh Leopards, with their first season back in the Betfred Super League a phenomenal one.
Their #RoadToWembley culminated in an electrifying Betfred Challenge Cup Final when Lachlan Lam slotted over a drop-goal in golden point to clinch a magical 17-16 win against Hull KR in dramatic fashion.
Charnley recognises just how memorable this moment was.
“We had a lot of experience going into the final and it could have gone either way. To win the game was an amazing feeling for everyone involved with Leigh and it meant a lot to people who’ve been involved with the club, to achieve that success.
“It was a great story for the competition, obviously with Adrian being the coach and Lachlan getting the winner.”
Josh Charnley is now preparing for another year in a Leigh Leopards’ shirt, and is ready to go in 2024, hoping that his team can reiterate similar success.
“We’ve spoken a lot about Challenge Cup in pre-season. We performed well to get into the play-offs last year and we want to build on top of that. I think the club have recruited well and it’s going to be another exciting year for us.
“We had a bit of a hangover from the Challenge Cup last season, and it didn’t help our Super League performances towards the back end of the season. Some teams can get out of it - we were stuck in it, but the lads have experienced it now.
“We want to work on defending the Challenge Cup.”
But he knows of the challenge and contests that lie ahead, with the Betfred Super League competition now closer than ever.
“Super League is going to be strong across the board. There are loads of teams that have recruited well.
“It’s good for the competition with healthier competition and fantastic personnel in each team – it’s amazing for the fans.”
Tickets for the Betfred Challenge Cup Finals on Saturday 8 June are on sale now. Grab yours here and join the #RoadToWembley!
The first round of the Betfred Super League begins on Thursday 15 February with the Hull derby at the MKM Stadium, kick-off 8pm. All first-round fixtures can be viewed here.
