Durham County RFU Senior Cup
English rugby union competition
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The Durham County RFU Senior Cup is an annual rugby union knock-out club competition organized by the Durham County Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced during the 1880-81 season, with the inaugural winners being Sunderland Rovers (a forerunner to Sunderland RFC) who defeated Houghton 3 tries to 0 in the final.[1][a 1]
| Sport | Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 1880 |
| Number of teams | 4 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Durham City (20th title) (2023-24) |
| Most titles | Hartlepool Rovers (45 titles) |
| Website | Durham County RFU |
During the 1880s the competition used the archaic rugby union points systems of games being scored by goals, which were seen as more important than tries back then. It was only if both teams had not scored any goals, that tries would then be used to determine games, with the highest number winning. By the 1890s this system was changed to one which we are more familiar with today, using tries, conversions, drop goals (and later penalties).[3] Today, the Durham Senior Cup remains the most important rugby union cup competition for club sides in County Durham, ahead of the Intermediate Cup, Junior Cup and Plate competitions.
The Senior Cup is currently open to club sides based in County Durham and occasionally, Tyne and Wear, who play between tier 3 (National League 1) and tier 5 (North Premier) of the English rugby union league system, although higher ranked clubs tend to field reserve sides due to the demands of league rugby. The current format is a knockout cup with a semi-finals and a final to be held at the ground of one of the finalists.[4] Previously the cup final was held at a pre-determined venue but this has changed in recent seasons.
Durham County RFU Senior Cup winners
Number of wins
- Hartlepool Rovers (45)
- Durham City (20)
- West Hartlepool (15)
- Westoe (8)[a 9]
- Darlington Mowden Park (7)
- Blaydon (5)
- Stockton (5)
- Sunderland (5)[a 10]
- Tudhoe (4)
- Darlington (3)
- North Durham (2)
- Billingham (1)
- Houghton (1)
- Ryton (1)
Notes
- Note that up until 1890-91, the old rugby union points system was used, where results were judged on first who scored the most goals, and then on tries. For these years the goals come first with the tries following in brackets. For example the score 1(1)-0(1) would stand for team one scoring 1 goal and 1 try, while team two has scored no goals and one try, making team one the victor.[3]
- Tudoe won the 1892-93 final via walkover.
- The 1948-49 final was originally a 0-0 draw prompting a replay which West Hartlepool won 11-0 over Westoe.
- The 1951-52 final was originally a 0-0 draw prompting a replay which West Hartlepool won 11-0 over Westoe.
- Blaydon won the 2012-13 final via walkover after Darlington Mowden Park withdrew.
- Westoe are currently known as South Shields Westoe.
- Sunderland's cup wins includes 1 by Sunderland Rovers, an early incarnation of the modern club.
See also
- Durham County RFU
- Intermediate Cup
- Junior Cup
- Plate
- English rugby union system
- Rugby union in England