1940–41_Challenge_Cup
The 1940–41 Challenge Cup was the 40th staging of rugby league's oldest knockout competition, the Challenge Cup. The competition was re-introduced after a season’s absence. The competition was won by Leeds who beat Halifax 19–2 in the final on 17 May 1941.
At the August 1940 rugby league council meeting it was proposed the complete the league season, play the county cup competitions and then finish the season with the Challenge Cup.[1] A decision on the structure of the Challenge Cup was deferred at the December meeting of the council but in January the dates for the competition were finalised.[2][3] The competition was to be played on consecutive weekends commencing 12 April 1941, there would be three rounds then the four teams in the semi-finals would play on a home and away two-legged basis on the first two weekends in May 1941 with the final on a neutral venue on 17 May.[3] Players were not allowed to play for more than one club in the competition and there were to be no replays. Extra time of 20 minutes was to be played and in the event of the scores still being level then the game would continue until one team scored.[3] Medals would not be presented to the players in the final, instead war savings certificates[lower-greek 1] were to be awarded, four to each player on the winning team and three to each player on the losing team.[3]
Invitations to all 27 member clubs, even those who had not played in the league this season, were distributed in February 1941 and by the date of the draw 21 clubs had entered. Hull Kingston Rovers, Widnes, Barrow and Rochdale Hornets who had not participated in the league at all in 1940–41 declined to enter; Salford and Warrington who had played some or all of the league games but had both suspended operations in January 1941 also declined to take part in the Cup.[5] So that clubs could make the necessary travel arrangements the first three rounds were all drawn on 26 March 1941; the first round consisting of five ties involving 10 clubs. The remaining 11 clubs were given a bye into the second round of eight matches.[6]