1989 European Club Challenge

{{Short description|Rugby league match}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox rugby league football match |year = 1989 |title = European Club Challenge |image =  |imagesize = |alt = |home = [[Saint-Estève XIII Mavericks|AS Saint-Estève]] |away = [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes RLFC]] |home_league = [[French Rugby League Federation|FFRXIII]] |away_league = [[Rugby Football League Championship|RFL]] |home_abbr = STE [[File:UtcRLcolours.PNG|16x16px]] |away_abbr = WID {{leagueicon|Widnes|16}} |home_half1 = 0 |home_half2 = 6 |home_total = 6 |away_half1 = 32 |away_half2 = 28 |away_total = 60 |date = 27 May 1989 |stadium = Stade municipal Fernand-Fournier<ref name="rwn-1jun89">{{cite news |author= |date=1 June 1989 |title=Chemics 88–89 Scorecheck |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/801823855/ |newspaper=Runcorn Weekly News |page=29}}</ref> |location = [[Arles]], [[Bouches-du-Rhône]], [[France]] |MoM_title = Man of the Match |MoM = [[Rick Thackray]] {{leagueicon|Widnes|12}} |referee = Ray Tennant {{flagicon|ENG}} |attendance = 350 |network = [[Screensport]] {{Flagicon|EU}} |network2 = |commentators = [[Keith Macklin]] {{Flagicon|UK}} |commentators2= Gérard Hérens {{Flagicon|FRA}} |commentators3= Stefan Heinrich {{Flagicon|FRG}} |tournaments = |last = |next = }} The '''1989 European Club Challenge''', also promoted as '''The Champions Cup''', was an international rugby league contest pitting [[1987–88 Rugby Football League season|RFL champions]] [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes RLFC]] against [[French Rugby League Championship|French representatives]] [[Saint-Estève XIII Mavericks|AS Saint-Estève]]. Played on 27 May 1989 in [[Arles]], [[France]], after several delays, the game also served as a European qualifier for the [[1989 World Club Challenge]].

==Background== ===World Club Challenge qualifier=== Anglo-French challenges have been an on-and-off practice since the [[1935 Match of Champions|introduction of the game to France in the mid-1930s]]. The 1989 incarnation was originally set up as a European qualifier for a [[World Club Challenge|World Club Championship]] against the champions of [[Australia]]. At an early stage, the event was projected to take place during the 1988 Christmas holidays in a home-and-home format.<ref name="wwn-14apr88">{{cite news |author= |date=14 April 1988 |title=Now Champs go for Cleal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/932896625/ |newspaper=Widnes Weekly News |page=64}}</ref> The dates of 1 March and 12 March 1989 were eventually chosen. As the 1988–89 national championships would not yet be decided by March, the participants were the 1987–88 title holders, Widnes RLFC and [[US Le Pontet XIII]]. However, due to logistical difficulties involving the intended location of [[Japan]], the WCC was seemingly cancelled in October 1988.<ref name="smh-20oct88">{{cite news |author= |date=20 October 1988 |title=Widnes aim for Anfield |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/120547438/ |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |pages=53}}</ref> Although Widnes initially vouched to go on with the European Challenge regardless,<ref name="smh-20oct88"/> the English club soon lost interest in the lesser continental event, and asked it to be axed so that the dates could be filled with outstanding [[1988–89 Rugby Football League season|championship]] fixtures that had been displaced by [[1988–89 John Player Special Trophy|Trophy]] games earlier in the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=David |date=5 January 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936027415/ | title=Tony signs up Newton |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=70}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |date=11 January 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/916878713/ | title=Davies quick to make mark |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |page=37}}</ref> This was granted, and both dates were reassigned to a home-and-home against [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]].<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=12 January 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/916953321/ | title=Mystery role for ace Davies |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |page=58}}</ref>

===Rescheduling=== However, the [[French Rugby League Federation|French federation]] still wished that the ECC be played,<ref name="men-12jan89">{{cite news |last=McNamara |first=Jack |date=12 January 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936028965/ | title=Widnes ko Aussie bid |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |pages=79}}</ref> and the RFL obliged despite Widnes' qualms about costs and schedule overload.<ref>{{cite news |last=Laugton |first=Duggie |date=April 6, 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/933494475 | title=The Enemy Within |newspaper=Widnes Weekly News |page=48 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref> As a compromise, the contest would now take place in [[Avignon, France]], on 28 May in a single-game format.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=David |date=23 March 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936037044 | title=Rugby League |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=79}}</ref> Widnes were promised that their travel expenditures would be covered by gate revenue, and that they would receive fifty percent of ground advertising.<ref name="men-15apr89">{{cite news |author= |date=15 April 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936034543 | title=Wing twins set for stardom |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=11}}</ref> At the demand of broadcaster [[Screensport]], the game was moved forward one day and rescheduled for 27 May. The information was belatedly relayed to Widnes, aggravating their already disinterested coach [[Doug Laughton]], who unsuccessfully pleaded with management to pull the plug on the event.<ref name="men-25may89">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Phil |date=25 May 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936050300/ | title=A French farce |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=79}}</ref> The date change also threw a wrench into the plans of about half of Widnes' 1,200 traveling fans, who were due to arrive on the day of the game.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Paul |date=April 6, 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/717976776/ | title=Saints go shopping for Campese |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |page=36 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref><ref name="men-5apr89">{{cite news |last=McNamara |first=Jack |date=5 April 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936047920 | title=Widnes in trip fury |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=59}}</ref> Some were able to reschedule their trip with the help of local travel agencies.<ref name="men-15apr89"/> Mid-May, it was announced that the World Club Championship was back on with an October 1989 date.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=May 18, 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/933496988/ | title=World Club Challenge |newspaper=Widnes Weekly News |page=28 {{subscription required|via=newspapers.com}}}}</ref>

===Le Pontet withdrawal=== Although the European Club Challenge's new date fell shortly after the conclusion of England and France's 1988–89 championships, it was decided in advance to stick with the original participants, Widnes and Le Pontet, as chosen based on the 1987–88 results.<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=28 January 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/917106270 | title=Vive le Davies say fans |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |page=37}}</ref> While the French representatives were not viewed as a serious threat to any respectable RFL team, Le Pontet's players were preceded by a reputation for unruly behaviour, following several incidents in the later stages of their domestic season. Laughton and referee Ray Tennant warned the Gallic side to curb its temper or there would be little chance of renewing the ECC experiment in subsequent years.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robbie |date=21 May 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/847455085/ | title=Watch it! Ray and Doug spell it out to the French |newspaper=The People |location=London |page=39}}</ref>

However, at just three days' notice, Widnes were informed that Le Pontet had decided to withdraw, arguing that they had been victimized by unfair disciplinary rulings during and after their upset loss against St. Estève in the 1989 French championship final. The French federation hastily moved the game from Avignon to [[Arles]], about 25 miles away, and summoned new French champions St. Estève to replace Le Pontet. Widnes manager John Stringer was appalled by the organizational chaos, but vouched to soldier on so as to not disappoint the fans who had booked their trip.<ref name="rlyb-8990"/><ref name="men-25may89"/>

==Squads== ===Widnes RLFC=== The lightly regarded event represented an opportunity for some fringe players on the powerhouse English club. Fullback [[Alan Tait]], sidelined with a shoulder injury, was replaced as a starter by David Marsh, a recruit from [[Blackbrook ARLFC|Blackbrook]]. [[Andy Currier]] and team star [[Martin Offiah]] were already in Australia with their summer teams.<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/> [[Brimah Kebbie]], who had only played two games with the main team, partly due to injuries, substituted for the latter.<ref name="men-26may89">{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Phil |date=26 May 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936050621/| title=Rookies' Euro chance |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=79}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=David |date=27 May 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936050748/ | title=Kebbie aims to grab the glory |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=79}}</ref> Rick Thackray returned to the line-up after being left off the [[1988–89 Rugby League Premiership|Premiership]] final roster.<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/>

'''Fullback''': [[David Marsh (rugby league)|David Marsh]] '''Threequarters:''' [[Rick Thackray]], [[Darren Wright (rugby league)|Darren Wright]], [[Jonathan Davies (rugby, born 1962)|Jonathan Davies]], [[Brimah Kebbie]] '''Halfbacks:''' [[Tony Myler]] (fly-half), [[Paul Hulme]] (scrum-half) '''Forwards:''' [[Kurt Sorensen]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]), [[Phil McKenzie]], [[Joe Grima (rugby league)|Joe Grima]], [[Mike O'Neill (rugby league)|Mike O'Neill]], [[Emosi Koloto]], [[Richard Eyres]] '''Reserves''': [[Derek Pyke]], [[Paul Moriarty (rugby)|Paul Moriarty]], [[David Smith (rugby league, born 1968)|David Smith]]<ref name="men-26may89"/>

===AS Saint-Estève=== Saint-Estève's team was also somewhat different than the one that played in French championship final.

'''Fullback''': [[Jean-Philippe Pougeau]] '''Threequarters:''' Hugues Ratier, [[Brian Coles]], Michel Roses, Jean-Luc Tène '''Halfbacks:''' [[Roger Palisses]] (fly-half), Bruno Castany (scrum-half) '''Forwards:''' David Barker, Mathieu Khedimi, Abet Baklouch, Morio Femia, Bernard Cartier, Steve Robinson '''Reserves:''' [[Bernard Guasch]], Patrick Alberola, ???<ref name="rlyb-8990"/>

==Match== {{Rugbyleaguebox | bg = #eeeeee | team1 = [[Saint-Estève XIII Mavericks|AS Saint-Estève]] [[File:UtcRLcolours.PNG|12x12px]] | team2 = [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes RLFC]] {{leagueicon|Widnes|12}} | score = 6–60 | report = | points1 = '''Tries:''' Pougeau '''Goals:''' Coles<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/> | points2 = '''Tries:''' Thackray (4), Davies (2), Grima (2), Marsh, Moriarty, Kebbie '''Goals:''' Davies (5), Kebbie (3) | date = Saturday, 27 May 1989 | stadium = Stade municipal Fernand-Fournier, [[Arles]]<ref name="rwn-1jun89"/> | attendance = 350 | referee = Ray Tennant {{flagicon|ENG}} | manofmatch = [[Rick Thackray]] {{leagueicon|Widnes|12}} }}

===Summary=== The game was an altogether lopsided affair, reflecting the loss of stature of French rugby league during the 1970s and 1980s. Widnes' first 22 points were scored by only two players, Rick Thackray and prized union recruit [[Jonathan Davies (rugby, born 1962)|Jonathan Davies]]. [[Brimah Kebbie]] and [[Paul Moriarty (rugby)|Paul Moriarty]], less successful union defectors who had struggled to establish themselves with the team, also seized their chance. Kebbie, who had not played since 14 December, made the most of the opportunity, and earned kudos from coach Laughton, despite not playing on his favorite wing.<ref name="wwn-1jun89a">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=1 June 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/933497863 | title=Kings of Europe! But it's too easy for wonderful Widnes |newspaper=Widnes Weekly News |pages=30–31}}</ref> Moriarty scored his first try with the team. Youngster David Marsh also got in on the action at the 25th minute, chasing a long kick from Tony Myler for a try of his own. As St. Estève was already lagging by 54 points, the French team got a consolation try, with [[Jean-Philippe Pougeau]] capping a long counterattack following a scrum with seven minutes to go. It was converted by Australian [[Brian Coles]].<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/>

==Post match== The championship trophy was handed to Widnes captain [[Kurt Sorensen]] by French rugby league federation president Jean-Paul Verdaguer.<ref name="ss-ecc">{{cite AV media | people =Mitchell, Colin (producer); Macklin, Keith (English play-by-play) |title=The Champions' Cup: Saint-Estève v Widnes |medium=sports broadcast |language=en |url= | date=June 1989 |publisher=[[Screensport]]; The European Sports Network}}</ref>{{Rp|p=1:20:25}} Two busses of Widnes fans who had gotten lost arrived as the trophy presentation was in progress, while a further 200 missed their ferry back in England.<ref name="men-5apr89"/><ref name="wwn-1jun89b">{{cite news |author=|date=1 June 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/933497685 | title=130 fans miss game after 27-hour trip |newspaper=Widnes News |pages=1, 32}}</ref> The game's impromptu relocation led to an embarrassing attendance, with a handful of locals and the few English fans that made it combining for a crowd as small as 350.<ref name="rlyb-8990">{{cite book | last1 =Fletcher | first2=Raymond |last2=Howes | first1=David | date=1989 | url=https://archive.org/details/rothmansrugbylea0000unse/page/180/mode/2up | title =Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1989–90 | location=London | publisher =Queen Anne Press | page =181 | isbn =0356178501}}</ref> The ''[[Manchester Evening News]]'' summed up the experience as a "French fiasco".<ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=David |date=10 June 1989 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/936048235 | title=Fans miss that French fiasco |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |page=9}}</ref>

St. Estève coach [[Jacques Jorda]] was gracious in defeat, saying after the game that Widnes was better than [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Team Great Britain]]. Widnes' veteran prop [[Mike O'Neill (rugby league)|Mike O'Neill]] struggled to find anything positive to say about the opposition, assessing that Saint-Estève was "only a little better than you see in amateur rugby league at home."<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/> Following the lopsided display, it was accepted that the French league had fallen too far behind professional standards, and that no representative of the country was likely to receive consideration for future World Club Challenges. Laughton assessed: "Unless the French get their act together, this competition has no chance of surviving."<ref name="wwn-1jun89a"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:World Club Challenge]] [[Category:Widnes Vikings matches]] [[Category:1989 in English rugby league]] [[Category:1989 rugby league matches]] [[Category:May 1989 sports events in Europe|European Club Challenge]]