WOLVES chairman Stuart Middleton says reaching the Challenge Cup Final shows the club is heading in the right direction.

Despite a disappointing Wembley defeat to derby rivals Wigan, Orford-born Middleton says the run to the final shows the Sam Burgess project is on track.

He added: “We are disappointed.

“We had a good chance today but we were beaten in all departments. We couldn’t keep their best players quiet, Harry Smith and Bevan French were brilliant. We are gracious in defeat so well played to Wigan.

“So we have to learn from this. I have just been in the dressing room, it is sombre but that is the message.

“But reaching a Challenge Cup final is a great achievement in Sam’s first year.”

For Middleton, who again was given the honour of leading the team out, the response of the Wire supporters has also been encouraging.

“We sold more tickets than Wigan, we had more than 11,000 here today and they were brilliant.

“I am gutted for the fans. But hopefully they come to The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday and get behind the lads again.

“I think today makes everyone determined to push on for even better in future.”

More than 65,000 were at Wembley, the biggest since 2017 at the Challenge Cup.