Keighley youngsters James and Natasha Whitcombe enjoyed the thrill of walking out at Wembley in front of nearly 80,000 fans in the Challenge Cup final last weekend.
The great grandchildren of Frank Whitcombe – who won the Lance Todd Trophy for Bradford Northern at the same showpiece back in 1948 – were flag-bearers in the build-up to the Wigan versus Hull clash.
Twelve-year-old James, who carried the Keighley Cougars flag, said: “It was amazing.
“We walked out on the pitch and when we sang the national anthem it was deafening. We got quite close to the players as they walked out to take their positions.
“It was extra special knowing that my great grandfather had won man of the match here all those years ago.
“And it also felt good being able to wear the colours of my home-town team.”
Sixteen-year-old Natasha, who carried the Huddersfield Giants flag, said: “The atmosphere was brilliant.”
Wigan ran out comfortable 16-0 winners against a below-par Hull side in wet conditions.
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