WHAT happened in The Wire's first season of rugby league that has only occurred four times since?

The primrose and blue team played on Leap Day, February 29.

With Warrington Wolves having faced Leeds Rhinos yesterday on February 28, another four years will pass before there is a chance of The Wire 'Leaping' into action again.

Warrington Guardian:

Bobby Wanbon at New Hunslet on February 29, 1976

The last time Warrington played on Leap Day was in 1976, when they won 17-4 against New Hunslet at Elland Road in the second round of the Challenge Cup.

It was a significant occasion for Steve Hesford in his first season with the club.

Recognised as the club's greatest ever goalkicker and holding the club record for his achievements with the boot, that day was more notable for him scoring his first try in primrose and blue.

Warrington Guardian:

Steve Hesford

He did also kick four goals that day – one of them a penalty from the halfway line – while the other try scorers were John Bevan and Derek Finnigan.

Coincidentally, The Wire's only other win on Leap Day was also in the Challenge Cup.

On that occasion, they defeated Halifax at their former home, Wilderspool, on February 29, 1908.

Warrington have lost at home twice to St Helens on Leap Days, going all the way back to the first season of the northern union in 1896 and again in 1964.

The Wire's other February 29 opponents were Broughton Rangers at Wilderspool in 1936.

As a matter of record, the point of leap years is to help adjust our 365-day Gregorian calendar to the solar calendar, making sure we celebrate solar events like the spring and autumn equinoxes with some regularity every year.