Season 1939/40

Winning the Yorkshire Cup – Rovers first ever trophy as a senior club

After just 3 games the Second World War started.  The normal league was immediately abandoned and separate Yorkshire and Lancashire War Emergency Leagues created. There was no Challenge Cup but the county cups would be run at the end of the season.  Hence it was after a fairly good league campaign (extended due to bad weather) that Rovers began a Yorkshire Cup campaign in June. 

The first round was an easy home victory over a weakened Halifax side but it was the second round defeat of favourites and reigning rugby league champions Bradford Northern that convinced supporters Featherstone could win this cup.  Rovers played expansive football and were full value for their 21 – 6 victory.  Such was the manner of this victory Rovers were made the new favourites.  In a much tighter game Dewsbury were beaten 15-11 in the semi-final, and Rovers now faced Wakefield Trinity at Odsal in the final.  The “young, keen and clever” Featherstone side were worthy 12-9 winners.  The half-back partnership of Moxon and Hamer spearheaded the cup win, Longley, Tennant and Blackburn were excellent backs.  In the pack, reward came to Sherwood, Hemmingway, Dyson and Taylor who had all played through the difficult years.