1970–71 Challenge Cup

The 1970–71 Challenge Cup was the 70th staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup.

1970–71 Challenge Cup
Highest attendance85,514
Broadcast partnersBBC
Winners Leigh
Runners-up Leeds
Lance Todd Trophy Alex Murphy

The final was contested by Leeds and Leigh at Wembley.

First round
Date Team one Team two Score
23 JanBarrowWidnes11-15
23 JanBatleyWigan4-13
23 JanBlackpoolHuddersfield7-8
23 JanLeedsOldham49-2
23 JanSwintonHuyton13-2
23 JanThames Board MillsHunslet5-49
23 JanWarringtonRochdale Hornets13-7
23 JanWhitehavenCastleford0-15
23 JanWorkington TownSt Helens6-8
24 JanHull BOCMDewsbury3-25
24 JanBramleyDoncaster6-5
24 JanHalifaxFeatherstone Rovers13-18
24 JanKeighleyHull Kingston Rovers9-9
24 JanLeighBradford Northern9-2
24 JanSalfordWakefield Trinity6-6
24 JanYorkHull FC0-2
27 Jan -replayHull Kingston RoversKeighley11-18
27 Jan - replayWakefield TrinitySalford8-15

Second round
Date Team one Team two Score
19 FebCastlefordKeighley9-6
20 FebLeedsSt Helens4-0
21 FebDewsburyBramley13-17
21 FebFeatherstone RoversHull FC7-7
21 FebHunsletHuddersfield0-16
21 FebSalfordWarrington20-9
21 FebSwintonWigan8-2
21 FebWidnesLeigh11-14
24 Feb -replayHull FCFeatherstone Rovers12-8

Quarter-finals
Date Team one Team two Score
06 MarBramleyLeeds0-14
06 MarCastlefordSalford9-8
07 MarHuddersfieldSwinton11-8
07 MarLeighHull FC8-4

Semi-finals
Date Team one Team two Score
27 MarLeedsCastleford19-8
03 AprLeighHuddersfield10-4

Final

The final was played on Saturday 15 May 1971, where Leigh beat Leeds 24-7 at Wembley in front of a crowd of 85,514.[1]

The winner of the Lance Todd Trophy was Leigh's captain-coach, Alex Murphy[2] who was stretchered off after a clash with Leeds player, Syd Hynes. For his part in the "clash", Hynes was sent off,[3][4] and became the first player to be sent-off in a Challenge Cup final after the headbutt on Leigh's Murphy.[5][6]

This was Leigh's second Cup final win in two final appearances. It was their last appearance in a Challenge Cup final until 2023.[7]

15 May 1971
Leigh 24 – 7 Leeds
Try Dorrington, Eckersley
Goals Ferguson (5)
DG Fiddler, Murphy (2), Eckersley		 Try Wainwright
Goals Holmes (2)
Wembley, London
Attendance: 85,514
Referee: Billy Thompson
Player of the Match: Alex Murphy
1David Eckersley
2Stuart Ferguson
3Stan Dorrington
4Mick Collins
5Joseph Walsh
6Tony Barrow
7Alex Murphy (c)downward-facing red arrow
8Derek Watts
9Kevin Ashcroft
10Jimmy Fiddler
11Paul Grimes
12Geoffrey Clarkson
13Peter Smethurst
Substitutes:
14Les Chisnallupward-facing green arrow
15Roy Lester (unused)
Coach:
Alex Murphy
1John Holmes
2John Langley
3Syd Hynes (c) Red card
4Ronnie Cowandownward-facing red arrow
5John Atkinson
6Tony Wainwright
7Barry Seabourne
8John Burke
9Tony Fisher
10Ted Barnard
11David Hick
12Bob Haigh
13Bill Ramsey
Substitutes:
14Les Dylupward-facing green arrow
15Phil Cookson (unused)
Coach:
Derek Turner

References
  1. "RFL Challenge Cup Roll of Honour". Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. news.bbc.co.uk (27 February 2004). "Cup heroes: Alex Murphy". BBC Sport. UK: BBC. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  3. "Cup Final Sending Off". Archived from the original on 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  4. Raymond Fletcher; David Howes (1995). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995-1996. London: Headline Book Publishing. p. 199. ISBN 0-7472-7817-2.
  5. Hadfield, Dave (11 May 2012). "Leigh v Leeds: Greatest Cup upset was child's play". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-01. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  6. Smith, Peter (5 June 2014). "Leeds Rhinos: Leeds still smarting from controversial 1971 cup final". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  7. "RFL Challenge Cup Roll of Honour". Archived from the original on 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
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