Popping the question more nerve-wracking than Wembley final (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Wolves' Chris Riley talks about his marriage proposal to fiancee Jenny

3:20pm Friday 31st August 2012 in News

WOLVES’ leading try scorer Chris Riley said proposing marriage was more nerve-wracking than playing in Saturday’s cup final.

Three weeks of celebrations will continue tomorrow, Friday, when Chris’ fiancée Jenny Wilson turns 21, just 18 days after saying ‘yes’ to Chris and six days after the cup triumph watched by a worldwide television audience and a crowd of 79,180 at Wembley.

Chris, who got down on one knee at a restaurant in Manchester, said: “I had to have a couple of beers to settle the nerves but I finally did it after the main course and then stuffed my face with dessert.

“I can’t remember anything I said because I was that nervous and I think proposing was more nerve-wracking than playing at Wembley.

“Playing rugby league just comes natural now, those nervous feelings seem to have gone and I feel like I can play a lot better without them.”

Chris, who revealed that teammate Matty Blythe had helped him select the diamond-topped gold band ring for Jenny, scored his first Wembley try on Saturday after blanking in the previous two cup finals.

“That was for my mum, something special for me,” said the 24-year-old former Penketh High School pupil and Woolston Rovers junior, whose mum died three years ago.

He also said he can look forward to ‘getting old’ knowing in future years he can tell his two-year-old daughter Isabella about the days when he won three Challenge Cup medals.

Before turning professional with Wolves, Chris was a supporter on the terraces.

“As a young lad watching Warrington there were some tough times, especially at Wilderspool,” he said.

“For me to be a Warrington lad and be a part of the success we’re having at this time is fantastic.”