THERE will be plenty of familiar faces at Laund Hill this afternoon when the YMCA host Knottingley in Yorkshire I.

The match is being sponsored by the ‘Class of 82’ which probably doesn’t mean too much to the rank outsider (or even today’s first-team squad, most of whom were not even born then!), but there is a very special significance.

Because 30 years ago to the day, the team of 1982 were the first-ever YMCA side to win the Yorkshire Silver Trophy when they defeated Halifax Vandals 20-6 at Ovenden Park.

And today they are coming together to celebrate and reminisce on that superb achievement.

Club secretary Grahame Nasey, who was captain of that 1982 team, has been responsible for bringing virtually the entire team together for the reunion, while former chairman and Veterans’ captain Keith Oldham has also organised a Vets’ reunion to make it a double celebration.

As Nasey explains: “The seeds of our victory were sown in the semi-final defeats in the two consecutive years 1979-80 and 1980-81 when they were beaten by just two points by Hemsworth and Wheatley Hills respectively.

“Those two defeats galvanised the players and the coach Steve Metcalfe, who said after the second loss ‘enough is enough. The next time it’s all the way!’

“The following season it didn’t work out as planned, going out in the second round, but 1982 began with clear thoughts in our minds.

“The basic squad had been together over the three preceding seasons and had developed both individually and collectively.

“Many were coming towards the end of their first-team careers and were more determined than ever.”

The first round brought a 16-6 home win over Sheffield Oaks, while Skipton were sent packing 21-7 in the second round.

“That put us into the third round where we faced our greatest rivals Hemsworth away in a make or break game,” added Nasey.

“Metcalfe had stringently prepared the team for a tough encounter, injecting the right sort of fire into the forwards. And in a bruising game, the only try came from a length-of-the-field ‘hack’ by Martin ‘Chunky’ Travis.

“We managed to get a 10-point lead, but only just held it as Hemsworth hit back with two penalties in one of the most exhaustive games I’ve ever played in.”

Bob Worthington, brother of legendary soccer star Frank, who himself had played professionally for Notts County and Southend, struck four penalties in the 12-3 home win over Whitby in the semis to set up a final encounter with Calderdale neighbours Halifax Vandals.

“Vandals had been to the final the previous year, and with much the same side were very confident as they emerged to hearty cheers on a gloomy and cold December day at Ovenden Park.

“We came out to near-silence, although it wasn’t for lack of support. It was just that our fans were still in the bar having a pint and keeping warm!” remembered Nasey.

“By the time we kicked off our support had ‘arrived’ and it really was a case of having a 16th man on the terrace.

“The Halifax paper headlined the game ‘Not a look-in for the Vandals’ as YMCA handed out a first-half drubbing with tries from Tim Saville, Travis and three Worthington goals.

“After that there was no way back for the Vandals and we closed the game down, running out 20-6 winners.”

Second row John Dearden recalls: “My most enduring memory came at Hemsworth, where for the last 30 minutes we were permanently penned back on our line defending for our lives.

“With about five minutes left we finally got a scrum in our favour and our prop Steve Thorp turned to the pack as the scrum formed and said ‘that’s it, we’ve done it,’ and we all knew he was right.”

Nasey has arranged for the Yorkshire Silver Trophy to be on display this afternoon (thanks to holders Baildon) which is one of the oldest trophies in the game.