1920-1921

This was an extremely disappointing season in which the team failed to justify the high hopes which were entertained after the triumphs of the previous campaign.

The League programme opened with a splendid victory at The Boulevard, by 16 points to 6, which was an extremely good performance in view of the fact that the three tourists had not yet returned. There were three debutants: E. J. Owens, at full back, W. F. Wanklyn, at half-back and W. Pearson in the forwards.

Another victory, at Clarence Street, followed and then mighty Wigan were entertained at Headingley. This proved to be a grand game, which was memorable for the wonderful try scored by Dinny Campbell who raced through the whole of the Wigan team from his own ?25?. Unfortunately, Wanklyn sustained a fractured collar bone towards the end of the match, and there was a good deal of speculation as to how the Selection Committee would deal with this problem for the visit to Fartown. They decided to introduce a young ?A ? team player, Arthur Binks. He certainly justified the faith placed in him, and Huddersfield only gained a victory by the narrow margin of two points to nil. Binks had certainly ?come to stay? and was to play for Leeds with great distinction for seven seasons before going to Wigan whom he served equally well.

Home victories over Hunslet and Widnes, and a defeat at Batley followed, prior to the opening of the Yorkshire Cup Competition. Wakefield Trinity, the ?old enemy?, were the 1st Round visitors to Headingley and the game provided the thrilling encounter which all had anticipated. Although Leeds held a lead of 8 points to 2 at the interval the Trinitarians came into the game strongly in the second half and the issue was in the balance until the last fifteen minutes in which wingers Walmsley and J. H. Roberts scored the tries which clinched the victory. For the visit of Hull K.R. in the 2nd Round Leeds were strengthened by the inclusion of Bacon and Stockwell, and consequently were tipped to win, but the Craven Street forwards scrummaged so very strongly that apart from one brief period after the interval Leeds had to play second fiddle, and lost by 8 points to 2. The outstanding player of the match was the Rover?s serum half, McGeiver.

Following the exit from the Cup competition only one game was won out of the next four with a consequent slide in the League table, but the team then had a very successful spell winning six consecutive victories, the last of them being over Dewsbury at Headingley, in Dinny Campbell?s Benefit match on December 29th. Thus, at the turn of the year we held 6th place and were within easy reach of the leaders, but the New Year resolutions were certainly not kept as we suffered seven defeats in the last sixteen League matches!!

Prior to the closure of the Cup Register two forwards made their first appearance in Leeds colours: J. Hardaker, from Bradford Northern and H. W. Trusler from Northampton.

1st Round opponents in the Northern Union Cup were Hunslet at Parkside, and the tremendous interest in this ?Derby? clash was evidenced by the crowd of more than 25,000, creating a new attendance record for the Hunslet ground. Leeds held a lead of 5 points to 2 at the interval, and apparently had the game well in hand when Bacon scored an unconverted try midway through the second half. But then Hunslet made a terrific effort. Guerin found touch at the corner with a penalty kick which went well over half the length of the field. From the resulting scrummage the Hunslet forwards forced their way over for a try, which Guerin converted with a capitally judged kick. Only a point now divided the teams. Leeds showed signs of panic, but they held out to win by 8 points to 7.

Salford were outclassed at Weaste in the 2nd Round, the Leeds back division combining splendidly. Called upon to travel for the third time in succession Leeds went down very gallantly at Fartown by only 5 points to 3. After eleven minutes Moorhouse scored a miraculous try when hemmed in to the touchllne by three opponents, but the Leeds defence then stood firm to the interval. Early in the second half Ward gathered a return pass from the left wing to gallop over for the equalising try. A few minutes later and with half an hour still to play, Rosenfeld was compelled to retire with a leg injury. Leeds piled on the pressure but it was Huddersfield who scored through a penalty goal awarded for obstruction. Leeds still had a great chance of pulling the game out of the fire but they seemed loath to take chances. It was a case of nothing ventured, nothing won, and Huddersfield proved the truth of that in no uncertain fashion. In the closing minutes they threw all they had into attack and ran out worthy winners. The hero of the match was undoubtedly Arthur Binks, serum half, who proved himself equal to all the strategy and guile of the renowned Johnny Rogers. The teams were: Leeds-Roberts: Walmsley, Davies, W. A., Bacon, Stockwell; Brittain, Binks; Hardaker, Gould, Godward, Pearson, Davis, Ward. Huddersfield-Thomas; Rosenfeld, Pogson, Wagstaff, Moorhouse; Williams, Rogers; Swinden, Gronow, Fenwick, Clark, Naylor, Sherwood.