War interrupts again 1941-1950
At the start of the next decade Leeds once again found themselves playing in a war time Emergency League with a number of "guest players" filling the ranks. Leeds reached their fifth Challenge Cup Final in 1941, remarkably winning for the fifth time. 29,000 spectators witnessed the Final at Odsal with Leeds winning 19-2 against Halifax. The team was Eaton, Batten, Evans, Hey, Lawrenson, Morris, Jenkins, Prosser, Murphy, Bennett, Satterthwaite, Pearson, Tattersfield.
The Cup was then retained the following year again against Halifax at Odsal. The Leeds team included some notable guest players. The team was: Brough, Edwards, Risman (both Salford), Hey, Evans, Morris, Jenkins, Prosser, Murphy, Satterthwaite, Gregory (of Warrington), Brown (of Batley), Tattersfield. Leeds won 15-10, Edwards scoring two tries. It is of note that the Leeds fullback Jim Brough was 39 in the Final.
The run in the Cup came to an end in 1943 but only just! In a two-legged Final against Dewsbury, Leeds lost the first leg 16-9 and then recorded a 6-0 win at Headingley, losing the Cup by a single point.
There was a return to the Final in 1947 when Leeds faced their local rivals Bradford Northern back at Wembley after the end of hostilities. Bradford won through by 8-4 in a game that did not live up to expectations. The Leeds team was: Cook, Cornelius, Price, TL Williams, Whitehead, R Williams, Jenkins, Prosser, Murphy, Brereton, Watson, Clues, Owens. Two notable names in that side were Bert Cook, a goal kicking Kiwi, and the legendary Australian second row Arthur Clues who earned a place in Leeds folklore during eight years distinguised service.
Leeds finished the decade with yet another appearance in the Yorkshire Cup Final however the disappointing run continued with a third defeat in a row in Finals. Wakefield won after a replay 7-8 at Odsal.
