It’s a home semi-final for the Vikings this weekend for the first time since the 1895 Cup was created in 2019.
Rochdale Hornets are the visitors to the DCBL Stadium with a place in the 2026 1895 Cup final against Midlands Hurricanes or London Broncos up for grabs.
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Widnes reached Wembley in the inaugural season of the 1895 Cup in 2019 following a memorable 12-8 win away at Leigh in the semi-finals, which provided the competition with a classic in its first year.
Jack Owens scored the crucial try, bursting on to an inside ball from Danny Craven in a signature move, in front of a packed away end at the Leigh Sports Village and the final whistle prompted jubilant scenes.
The footage shows the outpour of joy amongst players and fans alike after a turbulent time in the club’s history. Six of the 17 that day are still part of the Vikings squad, including skipper Owens.
Widnes team v Leigh: Jack Owens, Ryan Ince, Anthony Gelling, Keanan Brand, Patrick Ah Van, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Jay Chapelhow, Jordan Johnstone, Dan Norman, Sam Wilde, Chris Dean, Brad Walker. Subs: Ted Chapelhow, Macgraff Leuluai, Harrison Hansen, Olly Ashall-Bott.
The last time Widnes reached the semi-finals of the 1895 Cup was back in 2021, when we were beaten 24-18 away at Featherstone Rovers, who went on to win at Wembley against York Knights.
Featherstone were Championship heavyweights at that time, and lost just one league game in the entire Championship season, before going down to Toulouse in the Grand Final.
So the Vikings went to the Millennium Stadium as underdogs, but pushed Rovers all the way, despite falling 16-0 down in the first half. Tries from Steve Tyrer and an Adam Lawton brace dragged Widnes back in to the match either side of half-time, before a Craig Hall penalty settled the home side’s nerves.
Three players still in the squad from that day are Owens, Joe Lyons and Adam Lawton, while current Wigan and England hooker Brad O’Neill started for the Vikings during his loan spell at the club.
Widnes team v Featherstone: Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Ste Tyrer, Jake Spedding, Deon Cross, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Kenny Baker, Brad O’Neill, Matt Cook, Shane Grady, Adam Lawton, Matty Smith. Subs: Paul Clough, Owen Farnworth, Lewis Else, Will Tilleke.
The 1895 Cup is a natural successor to the Northern Rail Cup, which ran until 2013. Widnes were twice victors in the Northern Rail Cup, winning the finals in 2007 and 2009, which remains the last piece of silverware won by the club, as well as reaching the 2010 final.
