On this Day - 24th April

On the 24th April in 1943 Leeds have took on Dewsbury in the Rugby League Cup final, in 1998 the Rhinos played Salford in Super League and in 1977 current Rhino Keith Senior was born.

On the 24th April in 1943 Leeds have took on Dewsbury in the Challenge Cup Final, in 1998 the Rhinos played Salford in Super League and in 1977 current Rhino Keith Senior was born.

ON THIS DAY in 1897, Headingley hosted the first ever Challenge Cup Final between Batley and St Helens.  Batley got their name on the Cup first, winning 10-3 in front of a crowd of 13,492.

ON THIS DAY in 1943 Leeds played Dewsbury in the first leg of the Rugby League Cup final. Each round of the competition so far had been played on two legs, with the Loiners defeating York, Wakefield and Keighley to get to the final. This was to be Leeds’ third consecutive appearance in the final but it was to be a tough encounter with Dewsbury being the current Yorkshire Cup holders and League Champions. In the Cup game coming into this clash the Loiners had been comfortable 27-0 winners, thanks partly to two tries from C. Eaton. Eaton was once again in top form in this first round tie and was Leeds’ only try scorer in the game and indeed the only Leeds player to notch up any points with Eaton also kicking three goals in the game, but it was not enough and Dewsbury took the 16-9 victory in this first leg.

ON THIS DAY in 1977 Keith Senior was born in Huddersfield. Senior joined the Rhinos at the end of the 1999 season from Sheffield Eagles.

Remarkably his signing was not initially welcomed in all sections of supporters after he replaced Brad Godden in the side but after a four try haul against Halifax midway through 2000, he soon became a favourite.

He finished that season with 17 tries, seconded only by Ryan Sheridan and would be back up there for the next three seasons, finishing top in 2002 with 24.

A Grand Final winner in 2004, Keith was in the prime of his career, picking up World Club Challenge winners medals in 2005 and 2008 and played a part in all three of Leeds' ‘Three in a Row' Grand Finals.

He retired from the game midway through 2011 after a serious knee injury, finishing his Leeds career with 365 appearances and 171 tries.

ON THIS DAY in 1998 the Rhinos were at home to take on Salford in the league. Since their opening game of the year had resulted in a defeat against Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup the Rhinos had not lost a single game since only dropping points on one occasion in a draw which once again came against the Tigers. In this game the Rhinos kept up their 100% record against the Reds thanks to two tries and five goals from Iestyn Harris. Marc Glanville, Adrian Morley and Paul Sterling were also try scorers and Graham Holroyd added a drop goal which saw the team win 31-12.

In 2009, Leeds took on Brian McDermott’s Harlequins RL side and had endured a tough night against their former assistant coach.

Leeds were grateful for a late try from Rob Burrow to prevent an embarrassing home nilling for the first time since March 1992 by the team from the Capital.

ON THIS DAY in 2010 Rhinos travelled to St Helens. The Rhinos suffered a 41-20 defeat in their last ever game at Knowsley Road scoring tries through Lee Smith, Brett Delaney, Ryan Hall and Rob Burrow.

ON THIS DAY in the treble winning 2015 campaign, Leeds had a rare off day on this day when they welcome Warrington Wolves to Headingley.

Leeds Rhinos lost out for the first time at home that season as Warrington completed a league double over the home side as Kevin Sinfield became only the 4th player ever to play 500 games for the club.