Clubs > Ovenden > Ulverston Challenge Match

Ulverston Challenge Match

In 1961, Yorkshire and Halifax player, Jack Scroby, who had good connections with Ovenden, met Ulverston coach, Wilbur Athersmith, at a Rugby Football League coaching course at Lilleshall. They quickly decided to arrange a friendly between the two clubs as opening game to the following season.

A tradition was born.

The Ovenden-Ulverston annual challenge match was played at the start of every season for over 50 years with the game alternating between the clubs’ home grounds. Alderman, Tom Enderby of Halifax provided the trophy.

Ten of these games were refereed by Halifax-born senior referee, Jim Smith, who recalls enjoying some great trips on the coach up to Ulverston.

David “Bukkit” Sutcliffe recalls many visits to Ulverston including one notable one when he went down to Barrow with an Ulverston player to see a concert by “the Grumbleweeds”. Bukkit explained that
“we were to meet the lad’s brother, who turned out to be England footballer, Emlyn Hughes. A real surprise.”