That was such a great final. Think that and Live Aid were the two main events of 1985.

Some amazing players on show and great tries scored that day. Over 99,000 fans in Wembley too. Think we had the Tunnel end at the old Wembley. 


Ultimately it was goal kicks that made the difference. They had Henderson Gill as a part time kicker, slotting them over glaring the right. As mentioned in Wilf’s report, Crooks missed a few goals that day and then Schofield missed the last two conversions. All not easy, but we shouldn’t have missed so many. That was ultimately the difference. It highlighted the value Sneyd made in 2016 and 2017, especially in the 2017 final v Wigan, were he converted 3 difficult kicks, which was the difference on the day.


Looking back, though I was disappointed we lost, I still enjoy watching the highlights of that game. Other Wembley defeats were harder. 1980 was my first final. I’d always thought Rovers had dominated, until I watched a re-run a couple of years ago and we really should have won that day. Obviously 1983 was a shocker, where we turned up expecting to walk past a relegated Featherstone and they deservedly beat us. 2008 v Saints we gave that a good go v strong favourites. 2013 v Wigan was an absolute awful showing, but at least we didn’t concede 50.

I remember there was a big scrap outside the ground after the game at widnes.

I was walking back to the coach and some little git about 10 ran up behind me and jumped up and belted me…little s4it.

Scousers for you

Like you say, Kemble was taken out by a head high shot from Ian Orum (an ex Hull & East Riding RU player I think?).
I recall Topliss coming on as replacement substitute for Kemble and, in full view of the whole crowd, very clearly and very obviously pointed out Oram to his team mates as the culprit of the deed!
A few minutes later Sterling put a short kick just above Orum's head and the entire Fc pack had a race to see who could reach Oram first!! I think even I winced as the 'tackle' was made!!!


A few minutes after that the infamous Reilly-Sterling brawl erupted in front of the East stand, a real all-in job!! The second half by contrast was largely boring with very little happening. Kemble didn't play again until Wembley when he was clearly off the pace and not fully fit, but he remains by far the best full back I have seen wearing the number one black & white shirt, an absolute Fc legend in my eyes. 

When the team was announced I was concerned that we had shuffled the form players to make a space for Fred Ah Kuoi - I believed that we should have started the game with Schofield in the centre, Evans at six and Ah Kuoi in the bench.