1978–79 Challenge Cup

The 1978–79 Challenge Cup was the 78th staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup. Known as the State Express Challenge Cup due to sponsorship by State Express 555, the final was contested by Widnes and Wakefield Trinity at Wembley. Widnes won the match 12–3.

1978–79 State Express Challenge Cup
Duration5 Rounds
Number of teams32
Highest attendance94,218
Broadcast partnersBBC
Winners Widnes
Runners-up Wakefield Trinity
Lance Todd Trophy David Topliss

Widnes beat Wakefield Trinity 12-3 at Wembley in front of a crowd of 94,218.[1]

This was Widnes' fifth cup final win in seven Final appearances. To date, this was Wakefield Trinity’s last appearance in a Challenge Cup Final.

Despite being on the losing side, the Wakefield Trinity Stand-off, David Topliss, won the Lance Todd Trophy.

First Round
Date Team One Team Two Score
10 FebHull FCLeeds17-6
11 FebBarrowYork10-7
11 FebHull Kingston RoversNew Hunslet23-15
11 FebLeigh Miners W.Leigh10-23
11 FebSt HelensDoncaster34-9
11 FebSalfordBramley6-6
11 FebWarringtonCastleford9-15
11 FebWidnesWorkington Town12-5
20 FebSwintonBradford Northern2-8
20 FebWiganHalifax9-6
21 FebHuytonKeighley2-14
25 FebDewsburyBlackpool13-6
25 FebRochdale HornetsBatley15-0
25 FebWakefield TrinityFeatherstone Rovers10-7
27 Feb - replayBramleySalford2-2
28 FebOldhamAce Amateurs23-5
01 MarHuddersfieldWhitehaven11-9
01 Mar - 2nd replaySalfordBramley5-7

Second Round
Date Team One Team Two Score
24 FebWidnesWigan21-5
25 FebBarrowLeigh25-2
25 FebKeighleyHull FC12-33
04 MarBradford NorthernHull Kingston Rovers14-7
04 MarCastlefordDewsbury31-15
04 MarHuddersfieldBramley31-12
04 MarOldhamWakefield Trinity7-19
04 MarRochdale HornetsSt Helens10-11

Quarter Finals
Date Team One Team Two Score
10 MarCastlefordSt Helens6-10
11 MarBradford NorthernHull FC8-8
11 MarHuddersfieldWidnes0-14
11 MarWakefield TrinityBarrow8-5
14 Mar - replayHull FCBradford Northern4-8

Semi Finals
Date Team One Team Two Score
31 MarWidnesBradford Northern14-11
07 AprWakefield TrinitySt Helens9-7

Final
5 May 1979
Widnes 12 – 3 Wakefield Trinity
Try: Wright, Hughes
Goal: Burke (2)
Drop goal: Elwell, Eckersley		 Report Try: Fletcher
Wembley, London
Attendance: 94,218
Referee: J. E. Jackson (Pudsey)[2]
Man of the Match: David Topliss
FB1David Eckersley
RW2Stuart Wright
RC3Mal Aspey
LC4Mick George 58'
LW5Mick Burke
SO6Eric Hughes
SH7Reg Bowden (c)
PR8Jim Mills
HK9Keith Elwell
PR10Glyn Shaw
SR11Mick Adams
SR12Alan Dearden 74'
LF13Doug Laughton
Substitutions:
IC14Mike O'Neill 74'
IC15David Hull 58'
Player-coach:
Doug Laughton
FB1Les Sheard
RW2Andy Fletcher
RC3Keith Smith
LC4Steve Diamond
LW5Brian Juliff
SO6David Topliss (c)
SH7Mike Lampkowski
PR8John Burke
HK9Alan McCurrie
PR10Trevor Skerrett
SR11Bill Ashurst
SR12Keith Rayne
LF13Graham Idle
Substitutions:
IC14Trevor Midgley
IC15Kevin Rayne
Coach:
Bill Kirkbride

References
  1. "RFL Challenge Cup Roll of Honour". Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
  2. Fitzpatrick, Paul (7 May 1979). "Wright restores the winger's role". The Guardian. p. 15. ProQuest 186156722.
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