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1980–81 Rugby Football League season

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1980–81 Rugby Football League season
LeagueSlalom Lager Championship
Teams16
Champions Bradford Northern
Premiership winners Hull Kingston Rovers
Man of Steel Award Ken Kelly
Top point-scorer(s) Steve Hesford 310
Top try-scorer(s) Terry Richardson 28
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from Second Division
Relegated to Second Division
Second Division
Champions York
Top try-scorer(s) John Crossley Jr. 35

The 1980–81 Rugby Football League season was the 86th season of professional rugby league football in Britain. Sixteen teams competed from August 1980 until May 1981 for the Slalom Lager Championship.

Season summary

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For the only time in their history, Wigan competed outside the top flight of Rugby League in this season. Fulham RLFC joined the competition in Division Two, later becoming the London Crusaders, London Broncos (twice), and Harlequins Rugby League.

Bradford Northern finished on top of the First Division table to claim their second championship, and Hull Kingston Rovers won the Rugby League Premiership competition.

Warrington beat Wigan 26–10 to win the Lancashire County Cup, and Leeds beat Hull Kingston Rovers 8–7 to win the Yorkshire County Cup.

League Tables

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Challenge Cup

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Main article: 1980–81 Challenge Cup

The 1980–81 State Express Challenge Cup was won by Widnes after defeating Hull Kingston Rovers 18–9 in the final.

The Final was played at Wembley before a crowd of 92,496.

John Player Trophy

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Main article: 1980–81 John Player Trophy

Warrington won the John Player Trophy for the third time in their history, beating Barrow 12–5 at Central Park, Wigan.

Premiership

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Main article: 1980–81 Rugby League Premiership

Hull Kingston Rovers won the Premiership competition for the first time, defeating local rivals Hull 11–7 at Headingley, Leeds.

New Zealand Kiwis Tour

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Main article: 1980 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain and France

September until November also saw the appearance of the New Zealand team in England on their 1980 tour. Other than the three test series against Great Britain, The Kiwis played matches club and county sides.

The 1980 Kiwis were coached by Ces Mountford and were captained by Mark Graham.

Dane O'Hara, who would join Hull F.C. following the tour was the leading try scorer with 6. Scrum half Gordon Smith (who would join Hull Kingston Rovers in 1982) was the tours leading point scorer with 33 from 1 try and 15 goals.

game Date Result Venue Attendance
1 28 September New Zealand def. Blackpool Borough 23–5 Borough Park, Blackpool 1,312
2 5 October New Zealand def. Hull F.C. 33–10 Boothferry Park, Kingston upon Hull 15,945
3 8 October Cumbria Cumbria def. New Zealand 9–3 Recreation Ground, Whitehaven 4,070
4 12 October St Helens def. New Zealand 11–6 Knowsley Road, St Helens 6,000
5 14 October Bradford Northern def. New Zealand 15–10 Odsal Stadium, Bradford 4,553
6 18 October  Great Britain drew with  New Zealand 14–14 Central Park, Wigan 7,031
7 22 October New Zealand def. Hull Kingston Rovers 20–12 Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull 9,516
8 26 October New Zealand def. Leeds 25–5 Headingley, Leeds 5,662
9 29 October Warrington def. New Zealand 13–6 Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington 5,680
10 2 November  New Zealand def.  Great Britain 12–8 Odsal Stadium, Bradford 10,946
11 5 November New Zealand def. Great Britain U/24 18–14 Craven Cottage, London 2,397
12 9 November Widnes def. New Zealand 13–7 Naughton Park, Widnes 6,416
13 11 November New Zealand def. Leigh 22–5 Hilton Park, Leigh 3,166
14 15 November  Great Britain def.  New Zealand 10–2 Elland Road, Leeds 8,210

Statistics

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The following are the top points scorers in all competitions in the 1980–81 season.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ Fletcher & Howes (1981), p. 125.

Sources

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  • Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1981). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1981-82. Rothmans Publications. ISBN 978-0-907574-07-1.
  • 1980-81 Rugby Football League season at wigan.rlfans.com
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