FOR whatever reason, a second successive Steven Mullaney Memorial Boys Year 7 Champions Schools final was won by a comfortable margin on Saturday.
Whereas 2025’s decider ended in a record 40-0 victory for Rainford, of St Helens, over Hull’s Sirius Academy, on this occasion a Wigan derby went the way of St Peter’s, who went close to setting a new record by scuttling The Deanery 38-0 before the borough’s women’s and men’s teams enjoyed similarly emphatic successes over, respectively, St Helens and Hull KR.
Perhaps the fact that St Peter’s had seven substitutes compared to The Deanery’s four might have had something to do with it, especially in the heat (even allowing for the 10.00am start), although my own theory is that you can have too many substitutes, so many options potentially leading to confusion.
I was impressed by the ability of St Peter’s to keep the ball moving and by their support play, and I was also very taken by Jack Twigg’s performance as referee.
Twigg, who is with Huddersfield Giants’ Academy, brought a player’s approach to his officiating on what will have been a very emotional day for him, given that he is a nephew of Steven Mullaney, in whose name the match is played.
There were very moving scenes at the trophy presentation when Jack was embraced by members of his family, including grandparents Denise and Terry, and his mum Lauren – Steven’s sister – who were again doing the honours, on the 40th anniversary of Steven’s memorable display in the 1986 schoolboys’ game.
The Mullaney family were understandably thrilled by an appointment for which the Rugby Football League deserve great credit, Terry telling me in the build-up to the game: “It’s a dream come true for him, and for the rest of the family as well, and made this year even more special.”
I’ll be reflecting on the match, and indeed on the event as a whole, in the next issue of Rugby League World magazine, and I’m looking forward to chatting to everyone involved.
Meanwhile the Student and Under 16 Four Nations competitions continue this weekend, with an attractive double-header at Halton Farnworth Hornets on the Saturday and an equally tempting triple-header at Merthyr on the Sunday.
These really will be occasions for grassroots Rugby League aficionados to relish and my advice is get along.
The action at Halton starts at 11.00am, when England host Ireland in the second stage of the Under 16 competition.
At 1.00pm, the Student Four Nations involves holders England against Ireland.
The hosts won the Under 16 game 80-10 in Scotland last month, and the students’ match against Scotland closed at 42-0.
Ireland, meanwhile, lost their youth game 64-20, and their student fixture 50-0 (both at home to Wales) so it’s looking as though the competitions’ closing fixtures on Saturday, June 20 at The Gnoll, Neath, will determine the two titles, as England will meet Wales that day in both tournaments.
What, for now, of this Sunday’s extravaganza at Merthyr?
There will be three games, with Wales hosting Scotland at Under 16 level at noon, the two Under 17 sides playing a friendly at 2.30pm and the day climaxing with the Student Four Nations clash between the two nations at 5.00pm. It’s not to be missed!
Meanwhile it’s a shame, although perfectly understandable given the fraught situation in the world, that the final President’s Cup fixture of the three-match series has been cancelled.
Great Britain Teachers have already snared the title, so the game between England Students and UK Armed Forces would have been played mainly to avoid being left with the wooden spoon (or, if you prefer, to take the runners-up spot).
In the event, though, Rugby League players who are in the Army, or the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy, have more important matters on which to focus than a ‘dead-rubber’ rugby match. Fair play to them.
A saving grace regarding their decision is that England Universities players can now focus, unhindered, on the Student Four Nations and will not have to turn up at Halton Farnworth Hornets twice in four days.
News came through on Friday, sadly, of another match not set to take place.
Scotland RL administrator Barry McGuffog had to tell me the league fixture between Border Barbarians and Tayside Silverbacks had been postponed, leaving the Scottish League with a blank week.
Not good, although the day’s Betfred Challenge Cup final might have had something to do with it. Let’s hope that both this Saturday’s fixtures go ahead.
Finally, I was saddened to hear of the deaths of three stalwarts of the grassroots game.
Fred Halliwell, of Oldham outfit Hollinwood, passed away on Sunday, May 24 while Geoff O’Donnell, renowned especially for his involvement with Milford, died last Tuesday.
Both will be badly missed as will Alan Simpson, who was a regular and welcome visitor at many amateur clubs around the land, and who loved to sample the grub – burgers, for him, a must – as well as the on-field action.
Alan passed away a few weeks ago. He was a good friend and I miss him. RIP mate.