Leeds Rhinos Nostalgia: Doug Laughton’s men fall at the final hurdle

But from 1991-95, the Headingley outfit were rugby league’s nearly men and, while they could win semi-finals, they fell at the last hurdle on each occasion, including a big game played 29 years ago today.

Laughton’s brief, when he was appointed in May, 1991, was to take the Loiners to the same level as Wigan, who were then the English game’s dominant force.

He certainly had the pedigree.

At Widnes – his hometown club – Laughton won every available honour during two spells as coach.

In the 1980s he became famous for not only bringing through impressive local talent, but also successfully introducing a host of rugby union players – including Alan Tait, Martin Offiah and Jonathan Davies – to the 13-a-side game.

Under Laughton Leeds had highs and lows, finishing fifth, fifth, seventh and second in the league, but becoming regulars in the latter stages of knockout competitions.

In 1994 they reached Wembley for the first time since 1978, Ellery Hanley having produced an outstanding performance in a backs-to-the-wall semi-final against St Helens.

They were Challenge Cup finalists again the following season, but both times Wigan – en-route to eight successive Wembley victories – were too good on the big stage.

Laughton’s last game in charge – a month before he resigned – was also a defeat by Wigan in a final, a 69-12 Premiership drubbing in May, 1995.

His first competitive match in charge of Leeds was a 12-10 defeat at Widnes in September, 1991, but by November his new side had found their feet and they went on a 10-game winning run which included successive Regal Trophy victories over Warrington, Hull, Castleford and Salford, in a semi-final at Bradford’s Valley Parade.

Laughton’s previous club were Leeds’ opposition in the final at Central Park, Wigan, on January 11, 1992.

Widnes were missing a host of first-choice players, particularly in the pack and the Loiners went into the showpiece as favourites, but the 80 minutes were a non-stop disaster, in front of a crowd of 15,070.

Without injured captain Hanley, Leeds were never at the races as Widnes dominated a one-sided encounter, running in four tries and having three more disallowed.

Leeds created only one clear scoring opportunity, when ex-Widnes man Mike O’Neill forced an opening, but David Creasser didn’t ground the ball.

Widnes led 7-0 at half-time, Davies scoring the opening try and adding a goal after Les Holliday began the scoring with a one-pointer.

Man-of-the-match Holliday scored after his own kick wasn’t taken by Loiners full-back Morvin Edwards; Tait – who later moved to Leeds – also crossed and then, moments after Creasser’s missed chance, Kurt Sorensen completed the rout.

Davies landed two more place kicks after the break and a drop goal for an 11-point haul.

The 24-0 scoreline was a record margin in an RT final and winger John Bentley was the only Leeds player to cause Widnes’ defence any problems. Fourteen months later, Leeds faced Widnes again at Central Park, in a Challenge Cup semi-final and suffered an even worse hiding, 39-4.

Laughton resigned in June, 1995, just hours after Dean Bell had been appointed as his assistant.

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