Wigan 30 Hull 13, May 9th 1959

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGH7RgaSDOY < 1959 Cup Final clips.

This was another great season for Wigan. Although the Championship slipped through their hands after losing 22-11 in a play-off against Hunslet at Central Park in front of 23,245 fans, Wigan created a Rugby League record by appearing at Wembley two years in succession. Another record was to fall, the record score against a poor Hull F.C.

The year earlier, Wigan had scraped to a win against Workington Town 13-9 and were now back again. This time, Wigan were strengthened by the signings of Fred Griffiths, Keith Holden, Roy Evans and prop-forward Bill Bretherton.

Wigan soon began to tear the Hull defence apart and after eight minutes, captain Eric Ashton (nursing a pain killing injection in his leg) sent in Holden under the posts. From then on Wigan ran riot. Mick Sullivan raced in with a 75-yard dash whilst David Bolton ran for 60-yards to score. As half-time came, David Bolton had found Billy Boston who scored whilst Griffiths managed to convert all the tries.

Hull's reply was dire, two penalty goals earned them a measly 4 points against Wigan's 20 at half-time. One Wigan fan who gave points on a £5 bet was paid out at half time! Wigan knew that Hull would try and come back at them, and they did. Hull didn't manage a score but two more penalties edged the game within reach for the black and whites. It wasn't until the 60th minutes that Wigan were on the scoresheet again as Brian McTigue powered over for the try whilst Billy Boston grabbed his second with 10 minutes to go.

The game brought Wigan's fifth Wembley victory in six appearances up to that point and was so one-sided that Wigan realistically had it won by half time as Hull were in awe of the spectacle.

Brian McTigue added to his fine try by being named Man of the Match and the Lance Todd Trophy winner thanks to keeping the Hull pack quiet.

Wigan: Griffiths; Boston, Ashton, Holden, Sullivan; Bolton, Thomas; Bretherton, Sayer, Barton, McTigue, Cherrington, Evans.

Hull FC: Keegan; Cowan, Cooper, Saville, Watts; Matthews, Finn; Scott, Harris, J. Drake, Sykes, W. Drake, Whiteley

Referee: Mr. C.F. Appleton (Warrington)
Attendance: 79,811 (Receipts £35,718, a record)