4 Feb 2025

Cup Memories: Opening games of the season

This Saturday's Betfred Challenge Cup third round meeting against Wests Warriors, set to take place at AMT Headingley, is the first time that Leeds will open a season with a Cup encounter in 22 years. Starting when the teams moved to the summer Super League era in 1996, Challenge Cup ties became a regular occurrence at the start of the club's season, due to the Final being played in May.

Over an eight year spell, the Leeds club took on six different sides and secured a place in the next round on seven occasions. One year even saw the club go the distance and walk out winners at Wembley in 1999.

Here's a quick countdown of them all:


2003 - Leeds Rhinos 46 Whitehaven 6

The last time Leeds played a Cup game as their opening fixture of the season was in 2003 as they faced Whitehaven on home turf.

On their way to the Cup Final under Daryl Powell, Leeds made light work of their National League One opponents, led by Rob Burrow's two tries in a 46-6 final score.

New signings Chris McKenna, David Furner and Gary Connolly all opened their try scoring accounts with Leeds as they found the try line in the win, plus Wayne McDonald, Kevin Sinfield, Francis Cummins and Mark Calderwood ensured Leeds saw off their Cumbrian opponents.

2002 - Bradford Bulls 4 Leeds Rhinos 17

The 2002 season started at Valley Parade as derby rivals Leeds and Bradford went head to head in round four.

Ben Walker's try inside of six minutes got the Rhinos the lead before the half back added his first of two penalty goals to make the score an eight point advantage.

As a tight contest continued as Daniel Gartner responded for the Bulls and heading into the second half, Walker's second penalty along with a drop goal from Ryan Sheridan kept Leeds just ahead of their opponents. Sheridan's try on 73 minutes proved to be a game breaker as the half back scurried through a hole to score and see Leeds through to round five.


2001 - Swinton Lions 10 Leeds Rhinos 106

2001 was a historic year for Leeds as their club record scoreline was posted against Swinton Lions in the fourth round of the Cup.

12 different players got over the line for tries, including Anthony Farrell, Andy Hay, Brett Mullins, Kevin Sinfield, Ryan Sheridan and Marcus St Hilaire who scored two tries each. Keith Senior, Barrie McDermott, Karl Pratt, Bradley Clyde, Iestyn Harris and Robbie Mears followed up with tries too to put the result in the record books.

2000 - Featherstone Rovers 12 Leeds Rhinos 48

An eight-try performance against Featherstone Rovers was enough to see the Cup holders through at the start of the 2000 season as Leeds marched into round five.

Ryan Sheridan's hat trick stole the show for the Rhinos to put the game out of sight, and Kevin Sinfield also got in on the act with two scores.

1999 - Leeds Rhinos 28 Wigan Warriors 18

Enroute to their Challenge Cup Final triumph in 1999, Leeds started their road to Wembley against Wigan Warriors at AMT Headingley.

Wigan arrived in Leeds having lost out to Sheffield Eagles in 1998 historic cup final but were out-performed by the Rhinos in side's first meeting since the 1998 Grand Final. Leroy Rivett, Brad Godden, Marcus St Hilaire and Ryan Sheridan were the try scorers for Leeds that day, whilst Iestyn Harris kicked five goals and a drop goal plus Sheridan also added a one-pointer. 

1998 - Leeds Rhinos 12 Castleford Tigers 15

Leeds' only pre-season defeat in the Challenge Cup came in 1998 when the Rhinos lost out in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup against Castleford in a 15-12 loss.

A low-scoring affair saw Castleford take a slim 7-2 lead at the break, but the home side managed to take the lead for the first time in the contest on 56 minutes when Tony Kemp found his way over for the Rhinos' sole try of the game. Andrew Schick had the final say in the game's final play though as his try on full time stole a three point win for the Fords.

1997  - Whitehaven 8 Leeds Rhinos 48

1997 was a straightforward affair as an energised Leeds side set out their intentions for the campaign with a strong start to the Cup campaign.

Debutants Anthony Farrell and Paul Sterling opened their accounts with two tries each, whilst Phil Hassan, Barrie McDermott, Adam Hughes, Marcus St Hilaire, Gary Mercer and Adrian Morley also scored tries in a 40 point victory for the Rhinos.


1996 - Swinton 22 Leeds 27

Travelling back to 1996, the club's first season opener saw Leeds clash with third division side in a tight 27-22 final score.

Having overcome Thornhill Trojans in round three, Swinton pushed Dean Bell's side close in front of 2,000 fans at Gigg Lane. Five different try scorers for Leeds saw Jim Fallon, Carl Hall, Graham Holroyd and Adrian Morley, cross the try line, whilst Holroyd added three goals and a drop goal.

Gavin Price-Jones' two scores kept Swinton in the contest but Alan Tait ensured a Leeds win with a try in the closing stages.


Get your tickets for the Wests clash now

Tickets for the game between Leeds Rhinos and Wests Warriors are on sale now.  

Tickets for the game are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for concessions (65 & over, 17-23 year olds & Disabled) and free for all juniors aged 16 and under (juniors do not require a ticket – access will be allowed at the turnstiles on match day), one price will cover standing or seating for this game. For this game, the North Stand seats and accessible area (unreserved excluding Directors Box seats) and AMT East Stand terrace will be open. The AMT East Stand seats, the entire South Stand and the Western Terrace will not be open. 

Tickets will be available online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk or over the phone on 0371 423 1315 (opening hours)

On match day, turnstiles at Gate B on St Michaels Lane will open at 11am.

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