Barrow’s defence of the rugby league Challenge Cup they won in 1955 took them to the semi-finals again in 1956 where they played St Helens. The tie went to a replay after a 5-5 draw and then to extra time before Saints edged Barrow out 5-10.

Undaunted Barrow were on the cup trail again in the 1956/57 season. John Harris, aged 24, had taken over from Ted Toohey at scrum half, John Rae, 21, came into the centre with Denis Goodwin moving to the second row, and Maurice Redhead, 20, succeeded Vince McKeating as hooker. Despite this infusion of youth, Barrow were a veteran team with eight of the regulars aged 30 or over. The group included Jim Lewthwaite, who at 36 announced that this would be his final season and went on to celebrate it with a club record 50 tries. On the other wing Frank Castle got 29 and full-back Joe Ball – father of Ian of more recent memory – broke another record with 135 goals after being signed from St Helens.

The crowds at Craven Park averaged almost 9,000 during the season and the fans were treated to some exciting rugby as Barrow, greatly helped by the regular availability of Phil Jackson after his national service, mounted a strong challenge for the league title. They won 29 and lost just nine of their games, finishing third; two points behind Hull albeit eight adrift of leaders Oldham. That earned them a Championship play-off semi-final at Hull a week ahead of the Challenge Cup final in which Barrow would again be appearing.

They had opened their cup campaign by easing past amateurs side Wakefield Locomotive 53-12 before negotiating a tricky tie at Castleford where they won 9-2. Next came Huddersfield, who drew a crowd of 15,935 to Craven Park and were beaten 10-0. Barrow were back in the semi-finals.

The opposition was provided by Leigh, whose big, mobile pack proved a handful in the game at Wigan in front of 34,628. Barrow had no less than four tries disallowed and trailed by a single drop goal until Joe Ball earned a replay with a penalty goal two minutes from time. Leigh took an early lead in the second game but then Barrow asserted themselves and two Lewthwaite tries led the way to a 15-10 win and another cup final appearance.

First came the Championship play-off semi-final at Hull. Short-handed and with minds probably turning to Wembley, Barrow lost 14-45.

Barrow’s selectors caused controversy before the final against Leeds – who edged past Whitehaven 10-9 in their semi final– when they picked Reg Parker out of position at prop. This meant the exclusion of Frank Barton, who would have been making a record fifth Wembley appearance. Bitterly disappointed, Frank never played for the club again.

Barrow’s team for the final was: Ball; Lewthwaite, Jackson, Rae, Castle; Horne, Harris; Woosey, Redhead, Parker, Grundy, Wilson, Healey.

The Mail’s headline told the tale of the game: ‘Barrow paid the inevitable price of costly errors’. They went behind when Leeds’ full-back Quinn crashed over from close range and immediately after half-time a set move from a scrum led to a second try. Willie Horne made it 2-6 with a penalty but then disaster struck when a loose pass gifted Leeds another score. Barrow responded with a converted try by Jackson which set up an exciting final 15 minutes.

Barrow finished the stronger of the sides but dropped passes caused moves to break down and when Castle got away on a 40-yard dash to the line he could not beat Quinn to the corner. Then, in the final minute, a pass by Willie Horne put John Rae away from deep in the Barrow 25. If Castle had been able to get up in support Barrow could have snatched a dramatic victory but he was behind the play, Rae opted to kick and the Leeds cover won the race to the ball. Barrow’s last chance had gone.

The game marked the end of an era. Retirements, injuries and age led to the break up of Barrow’s great sides of the 1950s and, although there would be another Wembley appearance in 1967, the club has never reached those heights again.