Sunday afternoon rugby was allowed for the first time by the RFL on 17 December 1967.

Initially most clubs chose not to switch away from Saturday's despite competition from football.

The first ever Sunday fixtures were Bradford Northern v York, and Leigh v Dewsbury.

Leigh beat Leeds 24–7 in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 15 May 1971, in front of a crowd of 85,514.

[3] In the final, Lance Todd Trophy winner, Leigh's captain-coach, Alex Murphy,[4] was stretchered off after a clash with Leeds player, Syd Hynes.