WIDNES Vikings stood up to the physicality of the Leigh Centurions approach to book their first trip to Wembley since 1993.

And a few wise words from two legends of yesteryear may have re-enforced the Vikings with an extra bit of steel, helping them withstand what was thrown at them.

The Hulme brothers, who played in Widnes’ last mission at the old Twin Towers, gave the pep talk.

Having been bullied at the Blackpool Bash, there was no backward step this time as Vikings marched on to add another twist to a rollercoaster ride of a season.

Coach Kieron Purtill said: “It was brilliant - two good teams going toe-to-toe backed by two sets of vocal fans in the crowd.

“It was absolutely fantastic.

“We turned up for each other and what a way to finish in front of our own fans.

“We had the Hulme brothers in on Saturday - and part of that was how they played the game. They were tough and physical and took no nonsense.

“We knew what Leigh would bring and that was part of their gameplan ­— an area where they thought we were weak.

“But credit to our boys, they showed up and did the job ­— and we are going to Wembley.”

The victory means plenty to the team, the club and the town after everything they have been through this season.

And Purtill said Sunday’s success was a sort of payback to those who had stood by the club and backed it with their own hard cash to keep it going.

“We showed a video on Saturday about our story as a group and what we have done.

“One of the key messages was the people who have put their money behind us and that is why we are still here.

“And what a fantastic way of finishing the season - no matter how much or little they have put in, everyone deserved recognition for it.

“That is their reward - going to Wembley,” he said.