The pursuit of 21

Up at ridiculous o'clock as I had a train to London to catch.

It was rugby league challenge cup finals day at Wembley and as my team, Wigan Warriors, were playing I had to be there. Although truth be told, I'd already purchased my ticket after the quarter finals, so would have gone regardless.

London was busy, as there was baseball taking place at West Ham's ground and another rugby final at Twickernam.

I had no problem getting to Wembley though, the tube was fine.

I got there in time for the women's challenge cup final, Saints v Leeds. Saints were runaway winners, their fourth time on the trot.

I had a problem getting in, as I had a bottle of water with me and you have to take the tops off for security. That then makes it difficult carrying things and going to the toilet. Lol!

Organisation at Wembley wasn't particularly great, I had to walk miles to find an open programme kiosk and asking for help from the hi-viz vests was bloody hopeless. It cost me £10. As it was lunchtime and starving, I bought a hot dog, that cost me £11, and even then the roll collapsed which made it difficult to eat. Wembley really know how to milk a captured audience for their cash.

And so to the big one, Wigan v Warrington. It was very hectic at the start, within minutes Wigan had a player sin-binned, which was an absolutely diabolical decision. And then just minutes after that Warrington had a player sin-binned. Warrington took the lead with a penalty, but after that it was all Wigan. Two great tries and plenty of other opportunities and it should have been a Bevan French try before half-time but the video ref somehow said something was wrong.

The second half started and Warrington came out battling, but Wigan's defence held firm. And then some magic, Jai Field made a superb pass to a brilliant line by Liam Farrell, and boom, our captain was in and that was pretty much the cup in the bag. Warrington did score late on but it was still Wigan who had the upper hand, and that was that, Wigan had won our 21st Challenge Cup.

Bevan French was named the Lance Todd Trophy winner, and well deserved as well, he is a magician.

There was a lot of respect paid to the late Rob Burrow today and the whole rugby community came together to celebrate and remember his life and the work that he has done to raise awareness of MND.

That's what I liked about today, even though teams are great rivals, fans can come together and celebrate the great game of rugby league. I was chatting merrily away to fans from all teams, yes, even Saints. Lol! There are not many sports, if any, where fans from rival teams can mix together and there be no trouble. Well done rugby league!

And so I made my way home. Although there were problems as the tube station was closed because of a problem, which I meant I had to travel back to Marleybone and then catch the tube back to Paddington. Although in the end I think that was a better solution than catching the tube. I shall have to remember that next time I go to Wembley.

Got home just before 10pm, it was a long day but a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Today I am thankful for:

1.  A great Wigan win
2.  Chatting away to fans from all different clubs