Mick Burke opened the scoring for Widnes with a penalty in the 18th minute after ‘Knocker’ Norton was caught offside.
Hull, who had to introduce two veterans in Clive Sullivan and hooker Tony Duke in place of the injured Dane O’Hara and Ronnie Wileman, started strongly and gained a position early on for Lee Crooks to attempt a drop-goal which narrowly sailed wide. The Airlie Birds scored four tries to the single effort scored by Stuart Wright, who so nearly wrapped up the Trophy for Widnes at Wembley, only to be denied by referee Fred Lindop spotting that he had touched down on a Hull FC boot! Hull and Widnes served up a feast of rugby football to satisfy the most discerning rugby league devotee. However, their conduct was impeccable and earned praise from the authorities at a time when football violence was a major problem throughout the country. The game engendered such enthusiasm that supporters were still flocking into the ground 20 minutes after kick-off.
Now it was Hull’s turn to show remarkable powers of recovery after the Premiership Final routing by the Chemics, only four days before the replay. Widnes had recovered from a league hammering late in the season to look likely cup winners at Wembley.
Club Historian Bill Dalton was present at the game and recalls that fantastic night at Elland Road. History News Friday, Today is the 41st anniversary of Hull FC’s Challenge Cup Replay triumph in 1982 – only their second success in the competition.
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