JOSH Thewlis is feeling pretty brassed off even though he is heading to Wembley.
For the Warrington winger missed out on ‘the greatest free show on Earth.’
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The Wolves’ ace lives in the Saddleworth area of Oldham, Greater Manchester which yesterday held its annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contests that dominate the area.
And when acts from around the country, some from Europe and even one from Australia, came to his doorstep, he was nowhere to be seen.
For Sam Burgess’ side headed to France on Monday to prepare for today’s Super League game at Catalans Dragons.
“I’d head up the road to watch the contest nearest to me,” said Thewlis. “I’d be set up at the top of the hill with my mum, dad and grandparents.
“But I missed it this year because of us being at Catalans. I suspect everyone else was there.
“And none of my team-mates have a clue about what Whit Friday is. It’s something that’s known around my area really.
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“It’s massive, they shut all the roads near where I live for it, which doesn’t help me getting back from matches.
“I have played on Whit Friday before, it’s just part of life now but it’s really busy. The roads are chocka, especially when I’m coming home, people are still going.
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“Going to a game is even harder!”
Warrington sealed a Challenge Cup final spot against Wigan by thumping Huddersfield 46-10 on Sunday.
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Now the 22-year-old can look forward to having an extra supporter there, three-month-old daughter Mila.
He added: “Fatherhood is very different. I found it quite hard at first but I’m getting used to it all. Every day’s a new challenge but I’m loving it.
“I’ve a new purpose now and that’s to make my family proud.
“Mila comes to every game and I get to hold her every game as I bring her on to the pitch. They’re special moments I’ve always dreamed of doing.
“And bringing her on to the pitch at Wembley would be unbelievable.”
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First up, though, is the clash in Perpignan – amazingly the THIRD league meeting between them this season, when Wire have not faced Wigan or St Helens at all.
But prop Chris Satae admitted Steve McNamara’s men are ready to crank things up a gear, saying: “We’re looking to kick on from now.
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“Warrington are playing with a bit more confidence now but we believe in ourselves, we’ve beaten them twice before already and we know what they bring.”
McNamara added: “We’ve out ourselves in position – now we hit the middle part of the season, which a really important period for us. There’s a sense we can kick on.”