1952–53 Challenge Cup

The 1952–53 Challenge Cup was the 52nd staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup.

First round Date Team one Score one Team two Score two07 FebBarrow 20 Featherstone Rovers 807 FebBatley 6 Bradford Northern 1507 FebBelle Vue Rangers 10 Keighley 207 FebHalifax 14 Dewsbury 707 FebHuddersfield 36 Castleford 1407 FebHull Kingston Rovers 12 Doncaster 007 FebHunslet 14 Workington Town 1207 FebLeigh 34 Bramley 1007 FebLiverpool 3 Swinton 2607 FebOrford Tannery 2 Warrington 4607 FebSt Helens 20 Oldham 407 FebSalford 24 York 1407 FebWakefield Trinity 9 Leeds 3307 FebWhitehaven 13 Hull FC 607 FebWidnes 28 NDLB 007 FebWigan 27 Rochdale Hornets 714 FebBramley 3 Leigh 1114 FebCastleford 2 Huddersfield 614 FebDoncaster 5 Hull Kingston Rovers 514 FebFeatherstone Rovers 5 Barrow 1514 FebHull FC 14 Whitehaven 514 FebKeighley 7 Belle Vue Rangers 014 FebNDLB 3 Widnes 2214 FebOldham 5 St Helens 514 FebSwinton 12 Liverpool 414 FebWarrington 46 Orford Tannery 814 FebWorkington Town 12 Hunslet 817 FebDewsbury 2 Halifax 1618 FebLeeds 32 Wakefield Trinity 918 FebYork 3 Salford 819 FebRochdale Hornets 15 Wigan 2423 FebBradford Northern 17 Batley 3

Second round Date Team one Score one Team two Score two28 FebBradford Northern 18 Salford 428 FebHuddersfield 21 Barrow 728 FebHull Kingston Rovers 14 Swinton 328 FebLeeds 26 Widnes 1728 FebLeigh 7 Halifax 728 FebSt Helens 28 Belle Vue Rangers 028 FebWarrington 10 Workington Town 228 FebWigan 18 Hull FC 1004 MarHalifax 4 Leigh 7

Quarterfinals A club record 69,429 people watch the Challenge Cup 3rd Round tie at Odsal between Bradford Northern and Huddersfield. Larger crowds had watched matches at Odsal, but this was the largest involving the home side. Date Team one Score one Team two Score two14 MarBradford Northern 7 Huddersfield 1714 MarLeigh 3 St Helens 1214 MarWarrington 25 Leeds 814 MarWigan 25 Hull Kingston Rovers 6

Semifinals Date Team one Score one Team two Score two28 MarHuddersfield 7 Wigan 028 MarWarrington 3 St Helens 9

Final In the final, Huddersfield beat St. Helens 15–10 at Wembley in front of a crowd of 89,588. This produced a record gate taking for a Challenge Cup final of £31,000.

This was Huddersfield’s sixth Cup final win in seven Final appearances, including one win during the Second World War. coached by William R. 'Bill' Smith, their stand-off half, Peter Ramsden, became the youngest player to win the Lance Todd Trophy for man-of-the-match at 19. the Huddersfield team also featured Australian Pat Devery and New Zealand's Peter Henderson.

Coverage The draw for the first round of the cup was broadcast live on television, and was the first time a rugby league cup draw had been televised.

The final itself was untelevised, as the Rugby League Council refused permission to broadcast the match due to concerns that this would impact the attendance.

References