Having defeated two Challenge Cup heavyweights, Wigan and Leeds, in the previous two rounds, the semi-final provided another challenge just as difficult.

Cas were drawn to face Wakefield Trinity, the previous season’s finalists, beaten by Leeds in the famous “watersplash” final. They had been league champions two years previously and had won the Challenge Cup three times in four years at the start of the decade. Coincidentally, their captain for those cup triumphs was Derek Turner, who was now coach of the Castleford team.

In the first semi-final at Wigan on Saturday, 22nd March, Salford had beaten Warrington 15-8 to reach Wembley for the first time since 1939. Cas were to face Wakefield Trinity at Headingley in the second semi-final the following Saturday, Grand National day. This gave one Cas supporter, Frank Parker, a difficult problem. He was the owner of a horse running in the big race and he finally decided to go to Aintree rather than Headingley. In the event his horse, named Hove, fell at the 19th fence as the race was won by Highland Wedding ridden by Eddie Harty.

Strong lineup

Meanwhile, back at Headingley, Cas were able to select from a virtually full-strength squad. Alan Hardisty had overcome doubts about an injured arm and was able to return to the team having missed the victory over Leeds. Derek Edwards reverted to full-back, despite strong performances from Trevor Bedford during Hardisty’s absence. Johnny Ward also took his place in the team. Fears that he would be missing following his sending-off against Wigan in the second round were allayed as his suspension was served thanks to two re-arranged matches that had been postponed during the bad weather of the previous few weeks.

Castleford: 1 Edwards 2 Briggs 3 Howe 4 Thomas 5 Lowndes 6 Hardisty 7 Hepworth 8 Hartley 9 Dickinson 10 Ward 11 Redfearn 12 Lockwood 13 Reilly Subs: 14 Bedford 15 Fox (both unused)

Wakefield Trinity: 1 Cooper 2 Slater 3 Brooke 4 N Fox 5 Hirst 6 Batty 7 Bonnar 8 Jeannes 9 Hill 10 D Fox 11 Ramshaw 12 Haigh 13 Hawley Subs: 14 Paley 15 McLeod (both unused)

Referee: J Manley (Warrington)

Attendance: 21,685

Redfearn to the rescue

On the day of the match there was a stiff breeze blowing the length of the Headingley pitch and Cas opted to play into the wind for the first half. This tactic appeared to backfire as Wakefield winger Ken Hirst scored two tries to give Wakefield a 10-2 lead after 26 minutes, with the only Cas points coming from a Mick Redfearn penalty goal. But Cas gradually grew in confidence and managed to reduce the deficit just a minute before half time. From a scrum near the Wakefield line, the ball was moved quickly to the right and Alan Hardisty drew in two defenders before slipping a pass to Keith Howe who was able to feed Trevor Briggs for him to squeeze in for a try in the corner. Against the odds, Mick Redfearn added an unlikely conversion from wide out into the strong breeze. Sportingly, Wakefield kicker Neil Fox applauded the kick which brought the half time score to 10-7. With the wind at their backs in the second half, Cas went in search of the score that would get them to Wembley. But despite all their efforts all they could manage was a 67th minute Redfearn penalty goal. Then, with only three minutes remaining, Cas were awarded another penalty just a couple of yards inside the Wakefield half. With the wind at his back, Redfearn again calmly put the ball between the posts – much to the delight of the Cas supporters massed on the terraces at that end of the ground. For the first time in the match, with only a couple of minutes to go, Cas were in front 11-10. From the kick off Wakefield kicked the ball deep, knowing they needed to keep Cas penned into their own 25 if they were to have a chance of getting a winning score. However, Alan Hardisty anticipated the plan and positioned himself to catch the kick and immediately kicked the ball 80 yards downfield. By the time Trinity had got back to retrieve the kick they were just ten yards from their own line and facing a very determined Cas defence. Wakefield were forced to take risks if they were to regain the lead, and when the ball ran loose Keith Howe was on hand to seize on it to provide a pass to Alan Hardisty who put the result beyond doubt with a try. This triggered a minor pitch invasion from the Cas fans who couldn’t quite believe what they had witnessed. After a short delay, order was resumed and Mick Redfearn calmly converted, to give Cas a 16-10 win.

Ironically, the outcome might have been different if Neil Fox, the highest points scorer in rugby league history, had not missed a simple penalty kick ten minutes from full time which would have given Wakefield a 12-9 lead. But that wasn’t to be and Cas reached Wembley for the first time in 34 years.