29 Apr 2022

Hornets celebrate 100 years since a famous Challenge Cup Victory

April 29th 2022 marked the centenary of Rochdale Hornets' finest moment: the day we won the Challenge Cup.

The final was played at Headlingley, Leeds, where - in front of a then record Cup Final crowd of 35,000 - Hornets took on a Hull FC team packed with internationals, including the world famous Great Britain centre Billy Batten.

There was much talk of an 'exodus' from Rochdale to see Hornets play in the final, with Hornets selling out their entire allocation of stand tickets. 

On the Wednesday before the game, The Rochdale Times printed vital details for fans planning to make the trip to Leeds "The Railway Company are running three long special trains leaving at a few minutes to eleven, a few minutes to twelve and one o'clock. The Hornets players will travel on the the 12.46 ordinary train, reaching Leeds at 1.48 and they will proceed direct to the ground." 

Ahead of the game, there was a general assumption that Hornets were the inferior side and all Hull had to do to win was turn up. Even the official programme notes said: "The Hull side are reported to be in splendid condition and are popular favourites. Hornets' backs are generally supposed to be much weaker than the men from Hull."

The Hornets team on the day was: Frank Prescott, Joe Corsi, Teddy McLaughlin (sp), Fred Wild, Tommy Fitton, J. Kynan, J. Heaton, Tommy Woods, Jack Bennett, Thomas Harris, Dai Edwards, Dicky Paddon and Louis Corsi.  They had other ideas. 

In the opening exchanges, Hornets' pack dominated; Hull relying on the defensive efforts of Batten to keep his side in the game. 

Against the run of play, Hull were first to score when winger Kennedy charged down a clearing kick from Heaton after just 8 minutes. 

Hornets then piled on the pressure: two Dicky Paddon penalties edged them ahead before Tommy Fitton bored his way through for a try in the corner. 

Just before Half time, Batten broke clear - leaping over Hornets' fullback Prescott to score. The conversion missed. Hornets held a slim half-time lead of 7-6. 

After the break, the game became a tense affair as play went from end to end. Heaton and Wild combined to send in Tommy Fitton for a second Hornets try.

The spectators who were stood right up to the touchline had to be moved back so that Dicky Paddon could take the conversion attempt. He missed: 10-6. 

In the dying minutes, Hull second rower Taylor crashed in for a try to make it 10-9. One report of the game says: "As Stone took the kick, the crowd breathed in. The international winger was wide and Rochdale had won the cup." 

Mrs Fillan - wife of the Northern Union Chairman - presented the trophy to Hornets captain Jack Bennett: the first - and as yet only - Hornets captain to lift the game's most prestigious piece of silverware. 

On their return to Rochdale on Saturday evening, the players were met at the railway station by a crowd reported as numbering 'several thousand'. 

When Bennett emerged carrying the trophy a great roar of welcome went up. 

Cheer after cheer was raised as the players and officials boarded a couple of charabancs and drove through the crowded streets to the Town Hall for a civic reception. 

Hornets arrived at the Town Hall Square to find a crowd of 40,000 people waiting.

The Rochdale Times said “… it was only with difficulty that the players could make their way into the building, owing to the enthusiasm of their supporters." 

Indeed, it was a historic day for other reasons: it was the last Challenge Cup Final to be played under the Northern Union banner, before the governing body changed its name to the Rugby Football League - thus creating ‘Rugby League’. 

It also drew the largest crowd that had ever gathered to witness a Northern Union game in this country. 

The following season, Hornets began their defence of the Challenge Cup with a first round home tie against Huddersfield. They lost 3-5.  A repeat of cup glory would have to wait.

Hornets travel to Cornwall RLFC, this bank holiday weekend, who embark on their maiden season - creating their own history. 

Sunday's game is free to view on Our League - sign up here.

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