1971–72 RFU Knockout Cup
English rugby cup
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The 1971–72 National KO Competition was the first rugby union cup competition (for clubs) in England. Gloucester won the competition defeating Moseley in the final. In the final the Moseley lock Nigel Horton floored Dick Smith (the Gloucester openside) with a punch during the second scrum of the game and was sent off by Ron Lewis the referee. Moseley ended the game with just twelve men after their two flankers, Tim Smith and Ian Pringle, were both carried off injured.[1]
| 1971–72 RFU National KO Competition | |||
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| Tournament statistics | |||
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The RFU introduced this new challenge cup which quickly emerged as England's premier Rugby Union club competition event. The final was held at Twickenham Stadium. The principal event for Rugby Union club players at this time had been the County Championship because there was no official league table for clubs.[2]
Draw and results
First round
| Team one | Team two | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkenhead Park | Wigton | 13-9 | |
| Coventry | Birmingham | 11-4 | |
| Wilmslow | Liverpool | 14-6 | |
| Halifax | Gosforth | 9-6 | |
| London Welsh | Oxford | 30-6 | |
| Moseley | Northampton | 25-12 | |
| Nottingham | Leicester | 10-3 | |
| Rugby | Bedford | 12-17 | |
| Saracens | London Irish | 26-3 | |
| Sidcup | Blackheath | 3-30 | |
| West Hartlepool | Headingley | 17-10 | |
| Wilmslow | Liverpool | 14-6 |
Second round
| Team one | Team two | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkenhead Park | Wilmslow | 0-6 | |
| Exeter | Penryn | 10-10* | (* away team progress) |
| Gloucester | Bristol | 15-4 | |
| Halifax | West Hartlepool | 8-0 | |
| Harlequins | Blackheath | 12-4 | |
| Moseley | Bedford | 16-9 | |
| Nottingham | Coventry | 3-30 | |
| Saracens | London Welsh | 7-33 |
Quarter-finals
| Team one | Team two | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlequins | Wilmslow | 7-16 | |
| London Welsh | Gloucester | 4-9 | |
| Moseley | Halifax | 22-0 | |
| Penryn | Coventry | 4-28 | |
Semi-finals
| Team one | Team two | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry | Gloucester | 6-6* | (away team progress) |
| Moseley | Wilmslow | 18-10 |
Final
| 29 April 1972 |
| Gloucester | 17–6 | Moseley |
| Try: John Dix Roy Morris Pen: Eric Stephens Drop: Tom Palmer Mickie Booth | Try: Malcolm Swain Con: Sam Doble |
| Twickenham Stadium, London Attendance: 10,500 Referee: Ron Lewis (Wales) |
         Gloucester
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    Moseley
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