During Castleford’s 50 seasons in the Rugby Football League the club had had many memorable moments, winning the Challenge Cup three times, the Yorkshire League twice, the BBC Floodlit Trophy four times and reaching two Championship Finals.

But, despite having some very successful sides, particularly during the 1930s and 1960s, they had never won the Yorkshire Cup. They had been finalists in 1948/49,1950/51, 1968/69 and 1971/72 but had fallen at the final hurdle every time. Despite reaching their fifth final they were given little chance of breaking their duck this time round.

Lady luck had been on their side as they scored unconvincing wins over bottom of the table Dewsbury, and York and Keighley, both from the Second Division, on their way to the final. In addition, their league form had not been good, with only two wins from their seven games so far. In contrast, Featherstone had overcome top-flight opposition in every round, beating Bradford Northern, Hull and Wakefield Trinity on their way to the final. In addition, they had scored notable league wins against Warrington, Wigan and Hull KR.

So, it was no surprise that Rovers were installed as the hottest favourites for years to lift the trophy. Rovers player John Newlove was so confident of victory that he had made arrangements for the trophy to be displayed at the Railway Hotel in Featherstone at a social event the following week as part of his testimonial celebrations. Most pundits felt that the Rovers pack would be too strong for Cas, although many in the Castleford camp were quietly optimistic and player/coach Malcolm Reilly was hopeful of picking up a winners’ medal in his 200th appearance for the club.

Castleford: 1 Wraith 2 Richardson 3 Joyner 4 Johnson 5 Fenton 6 Burton 7 Pickerill 8 Fisher 9 Spurr 10 Weston 11 Huddleston 12 Reilly 13 Lloyd Subs: 14 Stephens 15 Woodall

Featherstone Rovers: 1 Marsden 2 Evans 3 Gilbert 4 Quinn 5 Kellett 6 Newlove 7 Butler 8 Townend 9 Bridges 10 Farrar 11 Gibbins 12 Stone 13 Bell Subs: 14 Tuffs 15 Smith

Referee: M Naughton (Widnes)

Attendance: 6,318

The first half was a predictably tight contest, although the anticipated dominance from Featherstone’s pack failed to materialise. The Cas pack, led by Reilly and Fisher, with Sid Huddlestone having probably his best match for the club, more than held their own. Rovers took an early lead when Quinn kicked a penalty following a penalty awarded against Fisher before Sammy Lloyd gave Cas a 4-2 half time lead with two penalties of his own.

Then, just six minutes into the second half, the game turned in Castleford’s favour. Pickerill and Lloyd combined to create space for Bruce Burton to break the Rovers defence and race away for a try. Lloyd converted to give Cas a 9-2 lead. Shortly after, Burton took the opportunity to drop a goal to increase the lead by a further point.

Then, after 63 minutes, Stephens, who had replaced the injured Pickerill, fed Burton who beat an attempted tackle before racing 50 yards for his second try. Lloyd’s fourth goal put Cas 15-2 ahead to almost guarantee victory. Rovers scored a consolation try through substitute Peter Smith to bring the score to 15-7 with ten minutes remaining but Lloyd’s fifth goal in the final minute completed the scoring and ensured that Cas won the Yorkshire Cup for the first time in their history.

Bruce Burton’s reward for his two-try performance was to be awarded the White Rose Trophy as player of the match.