1980–81 Rugby League Premiership

1980–81 Premiership
StructureNational knockout championship
WinnersHull Kingston Rovers
Runners-upHull F.C.

The 1980–81 Rugby League Premiership was the seventh staging of the end of season Rugby League Premiership competition.

The final was contested by Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull F.C. at Headingley, Leeds. Hull Kingston Rovers won the match 11–7, and was the first time the club had won the Premiership trophy. The prize money for the winning team was £4,000.[1]

First round

Date Home team Score Away team Attendance
26 April 1981 Wakefield Trinity 8–25 Castleford 4,403
29 April 1981 Bradford Northern 12–14 St Helens 5,224
4 May 1981 Warrington 7–19 Hull 4,889
6 May 1981 Hull Kingston Rovers 14–12 Widnes 13,508

Semi-finals

10 May 1981
Castleford 11 – 12 Hull
Tries: Wraith, Crampton, J. Kear
Goals: Finch
 Tries: Elliott, Banks, Dean
Goals: Woods
Drop goals: Dean
Wheldon Road, Castleford
Attendance: 10,660
10 May 1981
Hull Kingston Rovers 30 – 17 St Helens
Tries: Hartley (3), Hubbard (2), Lowe
Goals: Hubbard (6)
 Tries: James, Litherland, Gorley
Goals: Pinner (4)
Craven Park, Hull
Attendance: 13,760

Final

16 May 1981
Hull Kingston Rovers 11 – 7 Hull F.C.
Tries: Hogan, Hartley, Smith
Goals: Hubbard
 [1]
 Tries: Crane
Goals: Woods (2)
Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 29,448
Referee: John Holdsworth (Leeds)
Player of the Match: Len Casey
1 Paul Proctor
2 Steve Hubbard
3 Mike Smith
4 Phil Hogan
5 Peter Muscroft
6 Steve Hartley
7 Paul Harkin
8 Roy Holdstock
9 David Watkinson
10 John Millington
11 Phil Lowe
12 Len Casey (c)
13 Dave Hall downward-facing red arrow
Substitutions:
14 Chris Burton upward-facing green arrow
15 Kevin Watson
Coach:
Roger Millward
1 Paul Woods
2 Gary Peacham
3 David Elliott
4 Tim Wilby
5 Paul Prendiville
6 Barry Banks
7 Tony Dean
8 Keith Tindall
9 Ron Wileman
10 Charlie Stone (c)
11 Trevor Skerrett downward-facing red arrow
12 Mick Crane
13 Steve Norton
Substitutions:
14 Ian Madley upward-facing green arrow
15 Robin Chester
Coach:
Arthur Bunting

Notes

  1. ^ a b Fletcher & Howes (1981), p. 194.

References

  • Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1981). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1981-82. Rothmans Publications. ISBN 978-0-907574-07-1.
  • "Premiership Trophy 1980/81 – Results". Rugby League Project.