The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final
25 August 2007
Catalans Dragons 8 St Helens 30
Attendance: 84,241
After the final whistle for England’s match with Germany on 22 August, Wembley Stadium had just 65 hours to prepare the venue for the return of rugby league. The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final took place on 25 August 2007 between rugby league giants St Helens and French side, Catalans Dragons. It wasn’t the tightest turnaround that the stadium has faced (with three Football League Play-Offs Finals in three days in May) but the transition from one sport to another meant extra preparations needed to be undertaken. The most notable of these changes took place on the pitch with the installation of rugby posts and the new markings and lines. The grass is also a few millimetres longer for rugby league.
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| St Helens become the first team to win the Challenge Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium |
Fans were treated to a variety of pre-match entertainment including the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Carnegie Champion Schools Year 7 Final. The highlight of the entertainment was the Royal Marines Commando Display Team abseiling into the Stadium from the roof to deliver the team sheets.
The teams walked out to an impressive pyrotechnics display, that heightened the already exciting atmosphere. The team were introduced to special guest Sir Steve Redgrave who then had the honour of presenting the trophy at the end of the match.
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| St Helens celebrate winning the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final |
St Helens’ James Roby became the first person to score in a rugby league match at the new stadium after he broke the deadlock in the first half. St Helens then went on to win the match 30 – 8. There was a tie for the Lance Todd Trophy with Paul Wellens and Leon Pryce sharing the accolade.