THE 2026 Steven Mullaney Memorial Trophy Boys Year 7 Champion Schools final at Wembley was memorable for a number of reasons.

St Peter’s beat Wigan neighbours The Deanery 38-0 with an impressive exhibition of Rugby League at its best, coming close to eclipsing Rainford’s record 40-0 win over Sirius Academy the previous year.

The game marked the 40th anniversary of the 1986 encounter in which Steven Mullaney capped a player-of-the-match performance with a stunning solo try in Wakefield Schools’ victory over St Helens Schools.

The youngster tragically died aged twelve the following year in a motor incident outside his school following which the Rugby Football League, in an initiative led by then-Featherstone Rovers chairman Bob Ashby, renamed the final in his name.

Very fittingly, the 2026 game was refereed by Jack Twigg, whose mother Lauren is the sister of Steven Mullaney. She was, as always, accompanied in the royal box for the post-match presentations by her, and Steven’s, parents Denise and Terry Mullaney.

There were emotional scenes when Denise and Terry handed the referee’s medal to their grandson moments before he was also embraced by his mum.

Jack, also a player in the Huddersfield Academy system, said: “It was most definitely the proudest moment of my life, a huge honour. To referee at that amazing stadium, one which my uncle Steven ripped apart, is something I’m struggling to put into words. 

“My uncle Steven had a big future ahead of him and I know what it did to my family when he passed.

“When I went up those Wembley steps, to members of my family waiting to make the presentations, it was just something so very special, a dream come true.

“I tried to soak it all up and just got out there early, to walk for a while around the pitch, focus on the job – it’s another game after all – and not let emotions take over.”

He continued: “I wanted to let the game flow. That’s important from a player’s perspective, and that’s how I saw it. I think it did.

“St Peter’s were incredible for a Year 7 side. I know they won convincingly but I can confirm, from observing at close quarters, that there were also some very good players in that Deanery side. Both schools can hold their heads high.”

He added: “I’ve mainly refereed games at Under 15, Under 16 and open-age. I’ve not much experience of under elevens, but I’d like to do it more often if that’s the standard.”

Jack Twigg’s future is certainly promising, whichever option – playing or refereeing – he takes.

He admitted: “I love both, I’m not sure which I prefer, I just love Rugby League.

“Playing probably gives me most enjoyment. I’ve played from the age of four, it’s always been my life.

“About nine months ago I got more seriously into refereeing. It gives me a different perspective and, I think, a better understanding of the game as a player with Huddersfield Giants Academy and Reserves. Not many try both refereeing and playing.”

His mother Lauren said: “When I had Jack I was desperate for a boy, not only for me but for my dad, who had struggled so much after Steven’s death.

“Even though we had a boy, there was no guarantee that Jack would like rugby. But he had a ball in his hand when he was still crawling, he loved the game from being a babe in arms, and I’ve a photo of him reading a rugby paper before he was three.

“Jack always played and also refereed some of the younger children – he did a course at the age of twelve – and did a bit of coaching.

“Then he joined Huddersfield’s Scholarship, and subsequently started refereeing. He’s a natural as a referee and it will be interesting to see which path he takes – player or referee.

“I really do think there’s a future for him and after the final, Ben Thaler (the RFL’s match officials recruitment and development manager), who has been fantastic with Jack, said he should be on the talent pathway.

“I was seven when Steven died, and my mum and dad did everything for me. It’s there with us, though, all the time. It’s still raw, even after 40 years. But Wembley 2026 was so very special.”