1977–78 Challenge Cup

The 1977–78 Challenge Cup was the 77th staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup.

1977–78 Challenge Cup
Duration5 Rounds
Number of teams32
Highest attendance96,000
Broadcast partnersBBC
Winners Leeds
Runners-up St. Helens
Lance Todd Trophy George Nicholls

The final was contested by Leeds and St. Helens at Wembley.

Leeds beat St. Helens on Saturday 13 May 1978 in front of a crowd of 96,000.[1]

The winner of the Lance Todd Trophy was Saints forward, George Nicholls.[2]

This was Leeds’ eleventh Cup final win in fifteen appearances and their second in successive years.[3]

First round

The first round consisted of all 30 professional rugby league clubs, plus two amateur teams, Dewsbury Celtic and Pilkington Recs.

The match between Leeds and Halifax was televised by the BBC, and became infamous for a stray dog which invaded the pitch several times during the match.[4]

Date Team one Team two Score
11 FebLeedsHalifax25-5
24 FebSt HelensHuyton36-8
24 FebSalfordBramley9-7
25 FebYorkWarrington10-16
26 FebBlackpoolHuddersfield7-9
26 FebBradford NorthernBarrow21-13
26 FebDewsbury CelticWigan5-15
26 FebDewsburyNew Hunslet13-22
26 FebHull FCHull Kingston Rovers9-7
26 FebLeighFeatherstone Rovers14-23
26 FebOldhamDoncaster21-7
26 FebPilkington RecsCastleford22-23
26 FebSwintonBatley13-0
26 FebWhitehavenWakefield Trinity13-21
26 FebWidnesRochdale Hornets15-8
26 FebWorkington TownKeighley16-5

Second round
Date Team one Team two Score
11 MarWiganBradford Northern10-22
12 MarFeatherstone RoversNew Hunslet23-7
12 MarHuddersfieldSalford13-3
12 MarHull FCWidnes8-20
12 MarOldhamSt Helens11-26
12 MarWakefield TrinityLeeds6-28
12 MarWarringtonSwinton29-4
12 MarWorkington TownCastleford8-8
14 Mar - replayCastlefordWorkington Town8-8
16 Mar - 2nd replayWorkington TownCastleford13-20

Quarter-finals
Date Team one Team two Score
19 MarFeatherstone RoversCastleford25-15
19 MarLeedsBradford Northern16-8
19 MarSt HelensHuddersfield31-5
19 MarWarringtonWidnes6-0

Semi-finals
Date Team one Team two Score
01 AprLeedsFeatherstone Rovers14-9
08 AprSt HelensWarrington12-8

Final
13 May 1978
Leeds 14 – 12 St Helens
Try: Atkinson, Smith, Cookson
Goal: Oulton
Drop goal: Ward (2), Holmes		 Report
 Try: Liptrot, Francis
Goal: Pimblett (3)
Wembley, London
Attendance: 96,000
Referee: W. Thompson (Huddersfield)[5]
Player of the Match: George Nicholls[6]
FB1Willie Oulton
RW2David Smith
RC3Neil Hague
LC4Les Dyl
LW5John Atkinson
SO6John Holmes
SH7John Sandersondownward-facing red arrow 60'
PR8Mick Harrisondownward-facing red arrow 66'
HK9David Ward (c)
PR10Steve Pitchford
SR11Graham Eccles
SR12Phil Cookson
LF13Mick Crane
Substitutions:
IC14Kevin Dickupward-facing green arrow 60'
IC15Roy Dickinsonupward-facing green arrow 66'
Coach:
Syd Hynes
FB1Geoff Pimblett (c)
RW2Les Jones
RC3Derek Noonan
LC4Peter Glynn
LW5Roy Mathias
SO6Bill Francis
SH7Ken Gwilliam
PR8Dave Chisnall
HK9Graham Liptrot
PR10Mel James
SR11George Nicholls
SR12Eddie Cunningham
LF13Harry Pinner
Substitutions:
IC14Alan Ashton
IC15Tony Karalius
Coach:
Eric Ashton

References
  1. "RFL Challenge Cup Roll of Honour". Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. Raymond Fletcher; David Howes (1995). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995-1996. London: Headline Book Publishing. p. 199. ISBN 0-7472-7817-2.
  3. "RFL Challenge Cup Roll of Honour". Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  4. "The Joy of Six: animals in sport". The Guardian. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  5. Fitzpatrick, Paul (15 May 1978). "Leeds saved by courage". The Guardian. London. p. 15.
  6. Henry, Reg (15 May 1978). "Leeds land knockout in Wembley classic". The Times. London. p. 8.
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