Remembering Leeds’ 1978 Challenge Cup Final Wembley win over St Helens

Now retired from The YEP, but still taking sports pictures, legendary snapper Steve Riding documented Leeds’ stunning 14-12 victory over St Helens which saw them become the first team to lift the Cup after trailing by 10 points in the final.

It was the second time Leeds had retained the trophy - which they won against Widnes a year earlier - and their 10th victory in the competition overall.

In front of a crowd of 95,872, Leeds conceded a try after just four minutes when Harry Pinner’s kick evaded Willie Oulton and John Atkinson before being touched down by Graham Liptrot. Geoff Pimblett added the extras and Leeds trailed 10-0 eight minutes later after Bill Francis side-stepped his way over for a second, converted try. It took Leeds until the 23rd minute to get into the game, but they broke their duck in glorious fashion as Atkinson dashed over from Les Dyl’s pass.

Oulton tagged on a touchline goal, but Pimblett made it 12-5 with a penalty five minutes before half-time.

David Ward, Leeds’ captain, kicked a drop goal immediately after the interval and David Smith touched down on 55 minutes to put the Loiners right back in the contest, though the conversion was missed. With eight minutes left Phil Cookson powered over to level the scores. There was no goal, but John Holmes nudged Leeds ahead with an incredible left-footed drop goal in the 76th minute and three later Ward added another one-pointer.

The drama wasn’t over as Saints regained possession from the re-start, the ball was moved wide and Derek Noonan spilled Peter Glynn’s pass just short of the line.

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