Members of Parliament have recognised the 50th anniversary of the Watersplash Final.
A motion has been tabled in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament for Wakefield, Mary Creagh MP, commemorating the game between Leeds and Wakefield Trinity, which was played in wet conditions at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 1968 for rugby league’s Challenge Cup.
The game included one of the most dramatic moments ever seen at a major sporting event, when Wakefield’s Don Fox missed a last gasp conversion in front on the posts, meaning that Leeds won 11-10.
The motion recognises this iconic moment in British sporting history, and “congratulates the BBC for producing and broadcasting nationally a thorough documentary on the match.”
Mary Creagh MP, said “the Watersplash Final is one of the most iconic rugby league matches of all time, and I am delighted that the BBC are recognising the match with a special documentary on BBC One on Saturday at 13:15. I congratulate all involved with producing the documentary, and Rugby League Cares for their work to commemorate the sport’s heritage.”
Alex Sobel MP, Member of Parliament for Leeds North West, added “rugby league has a proud and rich history, and it is fantastic that the 50th anniversary of the Watersplash Final is being commemorated in this way. I encourage all sports fans to tune in.”
All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group Chair and Member of Parliament for Bradford South, Judith Cummins MP, said “few images in rugby league and in sport are as enduring as those from the Watersplash Final. Rugby league always remembers its heritage, and it is fantastic that the BBC are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the match.”
The full text of the motion is as follows:
Early day motion 1255 – Watersplash Final
That this House recognises the 50th anniversary of the Watersplash Final between Leeds and Wakefield Trinity, played in horrific and wet conditions at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 1968 for rugby league’s Challenge Cup; notes that a special programme will be shown on the BBC commemorating the final, which witnessed one of the most dramatic moments ever seen at a major sporting event when Wakefield’s Don Fox missed a last-gasp conversion in front of the posts resulting in an 11-10 Leeds win; congratulates the BBC for producing and broadcasting nationally a thorough documentary on the match; further recognises that Rugby League Cares are hosting a special event to commemorate the anniversary with players involved in the match, as well as fans and broadcasters; and encourages all sports fans to remember an iconic moment in British rugby league and sporting history.
