Flashback: Wiles the Hero as Skirlaugh Stunned Siddal in National Cup Classic

Former Chairman Alan Towle recalls one of the club's most memorable National Cup victories.

As Skirlaugh prepare to face Siddal Academy this weekend, former Skirlaugh Chairman Alan Towle has cast his mind back nearly three decades to one of the club's most memorable National Cup victories.

Not every great rugby league memory is about lifting trophies, winning finals or being crowned champions. Often, it is the hard-fought battles along the way that leave the biggest impression.

For Alan, one such occasion came in 1997 when Skirlaugh travelled to Siddal in the 6th Round of the National Cup. At the time, Towle was serving as Chairman of the club and witnessed first-hand a display of determination, resilience and courage that remains one of Skirlaugh's finest cup performances.

Nearly 30 years later, his memories of that dramatic afternoon remain as vivid as ever.

At the time, Siddal were beginning their rise through the amateur rugby league ranks. Their new clubhouse had recently opened, but the teams still changed in the old facilities – accessed by a set of stone steps leading down into dark, cramped changing rooms that were a far cry from today's standards.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs in the first half, Skirlaugh made the early running. Richard Gotts opened the scoring with a drop goal before Lee Newton added a penalty after Siddal were punished for dissent, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes.

The home side responded on the half-hour mark when hooker Martin Scrimshaw forced his way over from close range following sustained forward pressure. Jason Barron converted to give Siddal a 6-3 lead.

Just before the break, Skirlaugh hooker Mark Danville coolly slotted a drop goal to reduce the deficit to 6-4 at half-time.

With the wind now in their favour and a vocal home crowd behind them, Siddal emerged for the second half believing it was only a matter of time before they took control.

But they were playing Skirlaugh.

The visitors refused to yield.

Both sides had tries disallowed in a tense and fiercely contested second half before the game's defining moment arrived on the hour mark. A Skirlaugh penalty, followed by powerful carries from Dean Ralph and Scott Matthews, marched the visitors deep into Siddal territory.

From a quick play-the-ball, Phil Crane spotted an opportunity and sent full-back Carl Wiles on a brilliant diagonal run. Wiles sliced through the defence to score out wide and hand Skirlaugh the lead.

Richard Gotts then landed his second drop goal of the afternoon to extend the advantage and leave Siddal chasing the game.

The final stages belonged to Wiles.

Already outstanding throughout the contest, the Skirlaugh full-back produced two moments of defensive brilliance that would ultimately secure victory. In the 79th minute he pulled off a try-saving tackle on Siddal centre Jason Lewis, taking man, ball and everything else into touch.

Even then, the drama was not over.

Five minutes into added time, Siddal launched one final attack, hoisting a towering kick towards the Skirlaugh line. With all 13 Siddal players and around 1,500 home supporters willing the ball to bounce their way, Wiles rose highest inside his own in-goal area to safely claim possession and extinguish the final threat.

Moments later the whistle sounded and Skirlaugh had secured a famous cup victory.

Man of the Match

Carl Wiles

Alan's Man of the Match was undoubtedly Carl Wiles.

Already renowned for his defensive reliability, Wiles delivered arguably his finest performance in a Skirlaugh shirt. Dangerous in attack and immense in defence, he was at the heart of everything good the visitors produced.

Special mentions also go to BARLA international prop Dean Ralph, who carried injuries into the game and suffered a dead leg after only 15 minutes but continued to lead from the front against Siddal's powerful pack.

Captain Richard Gotts also epitomised Skirlaugh's spirit, playing the full 80 minutes despite carrying a fractured thumb. His leadership, determination and two crucial drop goals were instrumental in the victory.

Finally, Alan was keen to recognise the influence of coach Billy Mallison.

A respected tactician, motivator and leader, Mallison's preparation and game plan helped mastermind one of the club's most memorable National Cup triumphs.

Nearly three decades later, it remains a game fondly remembered by everyone involved – a reminder that some of the greatest moments in rugby league are not the finals themselves, but the battles won along the way.