Fingers crossed for history to repeat itself

It was 1972 when Leeds faced St Helens on consecutive weekends, first in the traditional Wembley showpiece and then at Swinton’s less glamorous Station Road ground to do battle for the league trophy.

After the following season, when Dewsbury famously won their sole Championship from eighth place, the league reverted to two divisions.

Overwhelming favourites Leeds had, of course, succumbed 16-13 in the 1972 Challenge Cup final when they failed to take numerous chances, goal-kicker Terry Clawson enduring a horrific time with the boot.

But Leeds responded seven days later to edge the league affair 9-5, a more accurate Clawson fittingly taking the Harry Sunderland Trophy.

Obviously, one half of the protagonists are different now, with Warrington Wolves taking Saints’ place.

They defeated Rhinos in August’s Challenge Cup final so Leeds will hope history repeats itself and the victors are reversed at Old Trafford.

John Langley, who came in for the injured Leeds centre Syd Hynes for the ‘72 Championship final, told the Yorkshire Post: “It definitely surprises me it hasn’t happened since but I hope it could be a bit of an omen.

“We lost at Wembley but won the Championship final. Maybe Leeds will, too, and I do just fancy them to do it against Warrington.”

Fringe-player Langley – father of Bradford Bulls star Jamie – missed Wembley but came close to winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy after his call-up at Swinton.

“It was only because Terry kicked those bloody goals I missed out!” he joked.

“They said he’d lost us that game the week before but he didn’t and he kicked impeccably at Swinton.

“I remember it well as there were a few who cried off with injuries while Keith Hepworth was ill. We weren’t expected to win but it was the most enjoyable match I’ve ever played in. Saints had beaten us the week before and we had those men out but we turned them over.

“I sent John Atkinson over for our try with a long pass – probably about 15 yards.

“I never used to spread it about too much – it’d be just short balls mainly – but it just went and stuck. The chairman, Jack Myerscough, liked his champagne and we all got a bottle of bubbly at the end.”