On this day - 14 December 1957 - 64 years ago, Fred Griffiths, nicknamed ‘Poensie’ at home and ‘Punchy’ overseas, made his British rugby league debut for Wigan against Widnes. However, it took him time to adjust to rugby league. In 1958-59, he became a regular in the side. He kicked six goals as Wigan retained the Challenge Cup, beating Hull 30-13. He had played – and scored - in every round of the Cup run. His goal kicking helped him to top the national point’s scorers chart for the season, with 394 goals. His 176 goals was a Wigan club record. Further success followed in 1959-60, when he again kicked six goals in a final, this time in the Championship, as Wigan beat Wakefield Trinity 27-3. In 1962 he experienced defeat for the first time in a rugby league final. He scored all Wigan’s points in a 12-6 defeat to St Helens in the Challenge Cup. He played twice for a Rugby League XIII in 1961–62, against the New Zealand tourists and against a French XIII. In June 1962 he played as a guest for Wakefield Trinity on their tour of South Africa. He left Wigan in November 1962, having completed the five years of his original contract.