THE 50th anniversary of one of the most remarkable rugby league games in history is being celebrated this week.

Cec Mountford's Warrington team beat Halifax in front of 102,569 supporters to win the Challenge Cup final replay at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, on May 5, 1954.

It was a glorious era of high attendances but the wet Odsal night attracting a world record turnout to a rugby league game came as a huge surprise.

A 60,000 strong crowd had been predicted for the replay that followed what had been a boring 4-4 draw at Wembley.

The match was a cracker but it was the occasion and the amazing pre-motorway scramble of the mass turnout to see Warrington's fourth Challenge Cup success that stands out to this day.

Historians believe that there were thousands more at the game than the official figure and perhaps as many again that did not make it to the choking turnstiles.

Those who managed to get in had a tough job to find a vantage point. Some watched the game at pitch level inside the boundary wall and dangerously close to the action.

Warrington stand-in captain and full back Eric Frodsham lifted the cup thanks to tries by centre Jim Challinor and scrum half Gerry Helme, who that night became the first person to win the man of the match Lance Todd Trophy twice. Back row forward Harry Bath kicked one goal.

Only four players that lined up for Warrington in the replay are still alive. Hooker Frank Wright, prop Gerry Lowe and loose forward Bob Ryan were all expected at an anniversary reception being staged at Bradford by the Rugby Football League yesterday, Wednesday, while Harry Bath was no doubt reflecting on his memories back home in Australia.

l The Odsal world record attendance for a rugby league match was not beaten until 1999, when 107,558 fans saw ex-Warrington star Tawera Nikau and his Melbourne team mates defeat St George in the Australian Grand Final at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.