Wigan, May 25, 2025 — Wigan Warriors delivered an unforgettable performance at the DW Stadium on Sunday, smashing records and storming to a jaw-dropping 106-0 victory over Barrow Raiders in the Betfred Challenge Cup. It was a display of dominance rarely seen in rugby league, as Wigan crossed the try-line an astonishing 18 times, thrilling a packed home crowd and sending a clear message to their rivals.
The reigning Super League champions came into the sixth-round tie as overwhelming favourites, but few expected such a comprehensive dismantling of their Championship opposition. From the opening whistle, Wigan were relentless, combining blistering pace with ruthless finishing and flawless execution. It was 48-0 by halftime — and they weren’t done yet.
Star winger Abbas Miski grabbed the headlines with a remarkable five-try haul, while Liam Marshall and Bevan French each secured hat-tricks. Cade Cust and Jai Field orchestrated the onslaught with slick playmaking, while Wigan’s forwards laid the perfect platform with their dominance in the middle.
It was the highest score ever recorded by Wigan in a competitive match and among the largest margins of victory in Challenge Cup history. The previous record stood at 104-4 against Flimby & Fothergill in 1925, which was surpassed in both score and margin on this historic afternoon.
Head coach Matt Peet praised his side’s professionalism and intensity. “We showed respect for the competition and the opposition by giving everything. I’m proud of how we stuck to our standards for 80 minutes,” Peet said. “Games like this can be tricky, but the boys were clinical and committed from the first minute to the last.”
Barrow, for their part, were simply overwhelmed. The Cumbrian outfit, who sit mid-table in the Championship, were always going to be up against it, but struggled to get any kind of foothold. They rarely ventured into Wigan’s half and spent most of the match defending desperately as wave after wave of attacks came their way.
Despite the crushing defeat, Barrow head coach Paul Crarey remained composed. “It’s tough to be on the end of a scoreline like that, but Wigan are a class apart. We’ll learn from this and focus on the league — we’ve got bigger battles ahead.”
The Warriors now advance to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals in sensational fashion, their momentum building at just the right time in the season. With silverware firmly in their sights and their attack firing on all cylinders, Wigan look every bit the team to beat.
For Barrow, the cup dream ends in brutal fashion, but they can take solace in the experience of playing one of the best sides in the country — a harsh lesson, but one that could sharpen their resolve in the weeks to come.
As for Wigan, their statement victory will echo across the rugby league world: they are not just winning — they are rewriting history.
