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Phil Smithson, Headingley Rugby Voices: 1985 Challenge Cup, Leeds v. Bridgend

As far as I know Leeds only ever played Bridgend once, in the Challenge Cup preliminary round in the depth of winter 1985.

It was a game neither side really wanted, Leeds because it was an extra match in an already crowded schedule and the Welshmen because they were struggling and were liable to get flogged.

Added to that it snowed really heavily, making their journey a nightmare and the pitch at Headingley virtually unplayable.

The match should have kicked off at three and we struggled to get there an hour or so before kick-off, even though we lived just down the road from the ground.

We were told that the game would definitely be on and that Bridgend had set off, but as kick-off time approached and passed, the majority of the crowd who remained resorted to having an almighty snow ball fight on the cricket ground which was superb.

Their coach finally arrived about twenty past four to a massive cheer, with the Leeds fans running alongside and applauding the Welshmen off the bus and clapping them on the back.

They had got changed on the way in and declared themselves ready to play, despite a seven-hour journey, which drew more massive cheers.

Several in the Leeds ranks were Aussies who had never seen, let alone played in, snow, among them Eric Grothe.

Within minutes of the kick-off he had scored a hat-trick of tries and was totally unstoppable, his big bushy beard coming up covered in snow as he dived in for one of his trademark scores in the corner.

He eventually went off with suspected hypothermia and, after Leeds had ensured a massive victory, they deliberately stepped off the gas to save the gallant Welshmen further unfair punishment.

When the visitors scored the sole try, the three-and-a-half thousand fans who so appreciated their efforts raised the roof, especially as it was rumoured that their coach driver had been named as a reserve because they had been unable to pick up enough players on their way through because of the weather.

Phil Smithson

Played in January 1985, Leeds won this match 68-6

Originally published in 'Headingley Rugby Voices' Recollections of supporters, compiled by Phil Caplan.

www.scratchingshedpublishing.com Twitter @scratchingshed2


Follow Sporting Memories Network @sportsmemnet

Originally published in 'Headingley Rugby Voices' Recollections of supporters, compiled by Phil Caplan.

www.scratchingshedpublishing.com Twitter @scratchingshed2


Follow Sporting Memories Network @sportsmemnet

Memory added on November 26, 2012

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