Rugby League County Cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition (affectionately known as t’owd tin pot) for several years prior to the schism of 1895. However the Lancashire authorities had refused to sanction a similar tournament, fearing it would lead to professionalism.
After the split, the replacement for the Yorkshire Cup was not immediately introduced, however new Yorkshire and Lancashire Cups were introduced in the 1905–06. This was the final set of trophies that went towards the concept of all four cups.
The county cups were played on the same basis as the Challenge Cup, with an open draw and straight knock-out matches leading to a final.
The county cups were abandoned in 1993 due to the more successful clubs complaining about overloaded fixtures. BARLA continue to run cup competitions for Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria for amateur clubs.
Read more about Rugby League County Cups: Cup Finals
Famous quotes containing the words league, county and/or cups:
“We’re the victims of a disease called social prejudice, my child. These dear ladies of the law and order league are scouring out the dregs of the town. C’mon be a glorified wreck like me.”
—Dudley Nichols (1895–1960)
“Don’t you know there are 200 temperance women in this county who control 200 votes. Why does a woman work for temperance? Because she’s tired of liftin’ that besotted mate of hers off the floor every Saturday night and puttin’ him on the sofa so he won’t catch cold. Tonight we’re for temperance. Help yourself to them cloves and chew them, chew them hard. We’re goin’ to that festival tonight smelling like a hot mince pie.”
—Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)
“Sigh no more, ladies.
Time is male
and in his cups drinks to the fair.”
—Adrienne Rich (b. 1929)