1926-1927

The high hopes of brighter days which prevailed in April 1926 were dispelled in another season of gloom and frustration. But this was the final dark hour before the bright dawn.

During the close season the management had obtained the services of A. C. Lloyd, a centre threequarter from Penarth, and Jim McCade, a Cumberland County forward. Other signings made during the campaign included L. J. Slater, a forward from Broughton Rangers: Dan Pascoe, a Welsh International R.U. forward from Neath; and several ?locals? such as Les Adams, F. Skelton, H. Jones, A. Rawlings, R. Eastwood, W. Swift and J. Casey. Whilst almost at the end of the season G. E. Andrews, a Welsh International R.U. winger, from Newport, joined the club.

The league programme opened disastrously with defeats at Oldham and at home to St. Helens Recs. An unconvincing victory over Castleford at Headingley was followed by yet another heavy defeat, this time at Wigan. Two victories over lowly clubs restored our fortunes a little but not our confidence, and successive defeats at Huddersfield and Swinton meant that the first eight matches had brought five defeats. This loss of form, particularly of the backs, caused consternation in the camp, and even five victories on ?the trot? caused little jubilation for the teamwork was unsatisfactory. Following the defeat at Keighley on November 13th, no less than eight ?regulars? were dropped for the following match, only Watkins of the pack holding his place. This ?in and out? form prevailed throughout the season but a good spell in late March and early April did at least put a better face on things so the final League position was ninth.

The Yorkshire Cup Competition matches followed the same pattern as those in the League: an excellent away victory over Hunslet in the 1st Round was followed by a trouncing at Headingley when many ex-Leeds players carried York to a convincing win by twenty-six points to three. Enthusiasm did, however, run high at the beginning of February when a splendid League victory over Oldham at Headingley was followed by an equally meritorious win over Warrington at Wilderspool in the 1st Round of the R.L. Cup Competition. Then the mighty Wigan were defeated twice at Headingley in successive weeks ? first in the League and then in the Cup, before crowds of 22,000 and 30,000 respectively. These four great victories came as the direct result of improved teamwork but the forwards (chosen from Hall, Thomas, Thompson, Slater, Pascoe, Watkins, Davis) were nothing short of tremendous in both the tight and the loose. A very convincing League win over Bradford Northern by forty-four points to three, prepared the way for the 3rd Round encounter with Oldham at Headingley. A tremendous crowd witnessed a game spoilt by too many infringements, and the match had little real sparkle. A strong, workmanlike Oldham team harassed the Leeds backs into defensive errors, and succeeded in neutralising the feared Leeds pack. Thus ended our hopes of the Cup for another year.

Harry Jones, a ?young local winger, had a grand debut versus Hull on New Year?s Day and scored four tries. The name of Alf Ellaby appears in our records for the first time as he scored a ?hat trick? against Leeds at St. Helens.

During the season F. Fletcher went to Halifax, and G. Kibbler to Huddersfield.

Joe Jones was appointed captain at the commencement of the season but he was handicapped by a knee injury, which eventually led to loss of form and his consequent transfer to Wakefield Trinity. Jim Bacon, a very great favourite, took over the captaincy, and what could be better in this his Benefit Season. The Hull K.R. game on April 19th was granted as the Benefit Match and a good crowd assembled to pay tribute to one who had served the game and the Leeds club so loyally and so well. Jim came North towards the end of 1918 and played one game under the name of Arthur James actually he only came to Leeds in the first place to spend a weekend with his old friend, Dan Lewis. Twice he toured Australia and New Zealand, in 1920 as a wing and in 1924 as a centre. He captained Leeds when they won the R.L. Cup In 1923 and he was a member of the side which won the Yorkshire Cup in 1921. He played many fine games for his Club and his country, but he always recalls a try he scored against Hull K.R. at Headingley in 1922 as ?his best ever?. Well done Jim. A wonderful record!!! Jim was nearing the end of his great career ? actually he was only to play three more matches in the following season. Imagine, then the worries of those responsible for team-building especially after the disappointments of this campaign.