When Saints came out of the Challenge Cup draw with a visit to Whitehaven at the Recreation Ground or the LEL Arena as it is now formally known, many supporters remembered the last time the two clubs met there in a tough fifth round tie in 2001, Alex Service writes.
The visitors won 34-22 despite having 12 men following Vila Matautia’s dismissal and later went on to lift the trophy at Twickenham.
Games against the men in chocolate, blue and gold in Cumbria have always proved to be competitive over the years and Whitehaven defeated Saints in their first two Challenge Cup meetings. In 1908 they won 13-8 when they were still a non-league outfit and known as Whitehaven Recreation. Fast forward to 1957 and they produced a first round shock by defeating cup holders Saints 9-8, with visiting hooker Tom McKinney somewhat controversially receiving his marching orders.
There have been many links between the two clubs over the years, not least the signing of two players who became key members of the St Helens team of the early 1960s: John Tembey, the ball-handling front-rower and Captain of St Helens R.F.C. for a spell and the superb running back-rower Dick Huddart, a member of Saints’ Greatest 17.
Over the past few years several former Saints players have played up at the Recreation Ground either on loan or on permanent deals, such as Kyle Amor who started his career there, making over 40 appearances over two spells. Tommy Makinson, Carl Foster, Adam Swift, Jordan Hand, James Tilley and Josh Eaves have also played for Haven. The current Whitehaven squad also includes back-rower Liam Cooper, the former captain of Saints Academy in 2016.
👀 @kylejamor87 x @OfficialHavenRl 😄
Tickets ➡️ https://t.co/xeDn77UubV#COYS | @TheChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/hC4ZYs8XOc
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 22, 2022
For many Saints’ fans there is another familiar-sounding name in the halves for Whitehaven in 2022. Australian-born Alex Bishop is a member of one of the most famous rugby league dynasties, a family production line that, since the early 1960s, has produced a succession of competitive and skilful half-backs.
This man will be looking forward to Saturday’s clash more than most
@alexLBishop94’s Grandfather Tommy was born in St Helens and played for @Saints1890 135 times in between 1966-1969 and also captained Great Britain during his time at the Saints#WeareHaven
📷 @mikemckenzieis pic.twitter.com/jfBDonTu0A
— Whitehaven Rugby League (@OfficialHavenRl) March 22, 2022
It began with his grandfather, Tommy, a rumbustious number 7, who joined Saints from Barrow before the Challenge Cup deadline in January 1966. By the end of the season, there were four trophies on the Knowsley Road sideboard and he had scored a superb individual try at Wembley against Wigan. Tommy later wowed the Australian crowds on the Great Britain tour. He captained Saints and Great Britain [including a test match against France at Knowsley Road] before joining Sydney club Cronulla Sutherland. After coaching spells Down Under, plus a return to Blighty at Workington, Leigh and Barrow in the 1980s, he has resided on the Queensland coast ever since.
VIDEO: A brief clip of the Saints’ team [and some fans] arriving at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven, before the league match on 31st August 1964. The visitors won 15-5.
Tommy’s three sons all played professional rugby league. Alex’s father, Gary, played for Kent Invicta and Oldham; Neil was a hooker for Huyton and Kent Invicta, while Paul, a fiercely competitive half-back played for Warrington, Halifax and Saints, including a Wembley appearance for the Red Vee against Wigan in 1991. Alex’s Great Uncle Allan was also a scrum-half at Knowsley Road before playing for Widnes, Blackpool Borough and Huyton.
It seems to go without saying that Alex Bishop is a real chip off the old block. A tough and resourceful scrum-half who can also play hooker, he has joined Whitehaven with an impressive pedigree, following stints with, amongst others, Souths Logan Magpies, [future NRL club] Redcliffe Dolphins, Norths Devils and Sunshine Coast Falcons, who operate in the Queensland Cup competition Down Under. Devils are the Brisbane Broncos feeder club; Falcons are partnered with Melbourne Storm. There is another Queensland Cup link too, with former Saint Chris Flannery CEO of the Falcons!
Although Saturday’s match will be fiercely contested, especially in the halves, let’s hope that history repeats itself and Saints can go on to lift the trophy once again, just like they did 21 years ago.
Tommy Bishop scores at Wembley in 1966; Tommy leads out Great Britain at Knowsley Road in 1968; Paul Bishop scores a try against Warrington at Knowsley Road in 1991.
