GREAT PLAYERS - GREAT GAMES 4
	WEMBLEY TRIUMPH FOR WORKINGTON AS ROVERS FIGHT IN VAIN

1952 WEMBLEY TEAM

In 1952 Rovers stunned the world of Rugby League by qualifying for the Challenge Cup Final, an achievement which many pundits of the game had suggested was impossible. The cup run was:

Rochdale - two legs; away; won 8-7; home won 17-2.

Batley - away; won 11-4.

Wigan - home; won 14-11

Semi-final - Leigh; won 6-2.

This was another land-mark game in the history of Featherstone Rovers. This was Rovers first visit to twin towers of Wembley where they fought out a classic Challenge Cup Final with Workington Town and marked the start of Rovers 'years of success'.

Eric Batten(Captain) said,' If there was any luck in the game I don't think it went our way. But we were all delighted at the way the crowd of 73000 appreciated our efforts and at the joy at being able to play our part in a game that was the best final of the four in which I have had the pleasure of appearing in at Wembley.'

Johnny Lawrenson, scorer of a great try in the first half, ran 70 yards for another in the 13^th minute of the second half. This try turned the game in Workington Town's favour, and gave them a winning grip for the last 20 minutes in spite of several great rallies from the 'never say die' Rovers. It was really these two great efforts by Lawrenson which sealed it for Workington on the day, but it was the all-round performance of Bill Ivison which won him the Lance Todd Trophy.

However, even though the Rovers were beaten they contributed to a great spectacle. Rovers were unlucky to lose this match and referee Appleton came in for a lot of criticism when he stopped one of Rovers try-getting movements . In this he must have ruled that the Rovers players were within, the then, 5 yard zone of McKeating when the Workington hooker fumbled the ball and 'Slam' Lambert quickly snapped up the ball. He moved forward with several Rovers players in support and had the defence beaten. This is a moment that many Rovers supporters have noted and mentioned for years as a turning point in the game.

From the start it was a very even game until the 16^th minute with a Risman penalty goal separating the two sides. However in the 16^th minute Lawrenson came through from his wing kicked the ball on and re-gathered to be caught close to the Rovers line. He played the ball to himself and plunged over the line for his first try. Risman converted to make it 7-0 to Workington. In response Freddie Miller kicked a penalty goal 2 minutes later and then repeated the feat in the 24^th minute.

At 7-4 in Workington's favour the Rovers camped on the Workington line. Cording and Batten made very powerful runs to test out the defence of the opposition. Batten was only just bundled into touch in the corner.

Four minutes after the interval Rovers pressure turned into points as Batten raced in past 5 defenders to put the scores level at 7-7. Miller could not convert. It was not long before Workington were back in the lead with an excellent try from their Aussie second rower, Mudge, who ran in from 40 yards in a diagonal run to make the scores 10-7 in favour of Workington. Then came Lawrenson's 70 yard effort, picking up a loose Rovers pass, that really turned the game for the Cumbrians. He scored under the posts for Risman to tag on the 2 points. Then came the McKeating fumble on taking Millers long kick, and Lambert's pick-up only to be ruled off-side by the referee. Workington now drove home their advantage and completed their scoring with a try from left wing Wilson which was not converted.

Rovers were still not beaten and Evans who had played a great game at scrum half cut through the midfield and went on to score. A brilliant try! Final score: