memoryshare

In May 1968 Leeds met near neighbours Wakefield Trinity in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, in a match destined to be known ever afterwards as the 'watersplash' final. Leeds won by the narrowest of margins after the most dramatic of finishes.

There had been a good deal of rain in north London in the week before the game leaving the grass sodden, then in the hours before kick-off there was another torrential downpour. Standing pools of water on the pitch put the game in doubt but it was decided to play the final.

As players were tackled plumes of water rose to obscure the action and the conditions meant that players could slide for yards across the surface of the pitch.

In the match an early exchange of penalties saw Leeds go 4-2 into the lead before the first try, scored by Hirst of Wakefield, after Leeds' John Atkinson skidded on the treacherous surface. The conversion for Wakefield saw Trinity lead 4-7.

John Atkinson was then awarded an obstruction try as both sides struggled to keep their feet and cope with conditions following another downpour. The converted try took Leeds back into the lead 9-7.

When Bev Risman put over another Leeds penalty with only two minutes left Leeds led 11-7 and it looked as though the cup was destined for the Loiners.

However, from the kick-off Hirst fly-kicked the ball forward for Wakefield, and as players struggled to keep their feet he scored a sensational try bringing Wakefield within one point of Leeds, 11-10, with the kick to come from almost in front of the posts.

Many Leeds players could not bear to look as Trinity's Don Fox shaped up for the conversion that would win the cup for Wakefield with time almost up. But in one of the most sensational moments of the Challenge Cup's long history, Fox slipped slightly and sent the kick wide.

Leeds had won a memorable final and taken the cup back to Headingley. Despite winning the Lance Todd trophy as man of the match Don Fox was inconsolable. Eddie Waring's commentary 'poor lad!' said it all.