Wigan (1st) v Warrington (2nd) -  Under 20s Valvoline Cup Grand Final.
Saturday 1st October. Kick Off 1:00pm at Leigh Sports Village,

In fact this will be Wigan's 10th Academy Level Grand Final of the modern era (by modern era I mean since I started doing this website back in the 2002 season). 10 academy finals in 10 seasons is a phenomenal achievement that not only the club should be proud of, but also all the local amateur sides in this town and beyond as well.

Six of those previous finals have been won with victories in 2002 (Under 17s), 2003 (Under 21s) and 2005 (Under 18s), adding to the three recent Under 20s finals I mentioned.

In all that time we have an impressive list of players who played in one of these finals for us, and then gone on to play at least once in our first team. This list includes: Harrison Hansen, Chris Melling, Kevin Brown, Bob Beswick, Dave Allen, Bryn Hargreaves, Paul Prescott, Desi Williams, Shaun Briscoe, Liam Colbon, James Coyle, Mark Roberts, Chris Ashton, Sean Gleeson, Lee Jewitt, Joel Tomkins, Thomas Coyle, Mike McIlorum, Sam Tomkins, Lee Mossop, Eamon O'Carroll, Shaun Ainscough, Darrell Goulding, Chris Tuson, Ben Davies, Jonny Walker, Liam Farrell, Josh Charnley, Stefan Marsh and Jack Hughes.

That's 30 players and many others have gone on to play for other clubs at first team level. Granted some have had more success than others in our first team, but who knows what future first team stars will be turning out this weekend at Leigh.

Warrington meanwhile will be playing in their first academy final in that same time span. They decided to invest heavily in youth about three or four years back and that investment is now beginning to show reward. They actually topped the Under 20s table last year but fell short in the play offs, to first St Helens, then Wigan. So to reach the Grand Final this time is a big step for them.

Wigan have lost four of the last five meetings against Warrington at this level, including a 29-12 defeat at Halliwell Jones Stadium three weeks ago. I'm not sure you can read much into that last loss though because Wigan had already secured first place in the table, so nothing really was riding on the game.

The other meeting this year was way back in March when Warrington won 28-24 at Orrell. That game went right down to the wire (pardon the pun) with Wigan clawing back from 26-14 down to make Warrington kick a penalty goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to ensure the result.

The two sides named for the final should be interesting. Wigan have been able to add the experience of Joe Mellor, Dom Crosby, Logan Tomkins and Ben Davies to their squad since that clash at Halliwell Jones Stadium earlier in the month.

Warrington have not really had that kind of luxury but, using rules that allow for three players over age 20 to be used per side, they have played 31 year old ex Warrior Mick Higham in their two play off matches to date on top of solo appearances for Chris Riley and Tyrone McCarthy. Ben Davies is the only over-age player Wigan have used in their two play off games - Crosby, Mellor and Logan Tomkins still qualify for the Under 20s by right.

On the books at Warrington is Bobbie Goulding's son, who is also called Bobbie. He is expected to start for them at Scrum Half. Also, their second rower Danny Bridge who could easily have been lining up in Wigan colours on Saturday. Up until 26th July this year he was on the books at Wigan but decided to leave so he could team up at Warrington with his brother Chris. The irony is that he goes into this final having played 13 games for our Under 20s and just five for Warrington - so I wonder if he will receive a winners medal whatever the result on Saturday?

It's hard to predict who will win because you can't judge the opposition really at this level because you rarely see them play. One thing I will say is that I think, on the evidence of our performance last week, they'll will have to have a huge game in the forwards because we totally dominated Wakefield in that department. The forward battle will possibly decide the result. Previous experience of these finals could count a hell of a lot for Wigan as well.

You'd think the four recently recalled Wigan players would give us a massive edge but it's worth noting that they all played when Warrington won at Orrell in March. However on that day Warrington had added the over aged Mike Cooper and Lee Mitchell in their pack. They might not have that luxury this time? Either way it should be a cracking final. Just like at first team level, they have been the two stand out sides all year and quality of the final should reflect that. Well worth a fiver of your money before heading on to Widnes later!

Wigan Under 20s - Meet the Players

Match Referee

Tom Crashley (Wakefield)

Final Valvoline Cup League Positions

Wigan Under 20s Form Guide - Last Six Matches - Won 4 Lost 2

Warrington Under 20s Form Guide - Last Six Matches - Won 5 Lost 1

Ticket Information

Note: Enter the ground via turnstiles 23 and 24 only. These turnstiles are located between the Legends Bar and Main Reception. Supporters are advised to park on car parks 8, 9 and 10.