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One hundred and thirty years ago the Yorkshire Cup, originally known as the “Yorkshire Challenge Cup” had its inaugural year. The competition allowing all Yorkshire clubs the opportunity to lock horns under the rules of the Rugby Football Union. In that first competition the final was contested between Halifax and York, with Halifax winning though on the day to take the Cup back to East Yorkshire as the maiden champions.
Apart from a short rest, when the cup was rumoured to be hidden under the Morley secretary’s bed for protection during the war, this cup has been contested on an annual basis even throughout the amateur years with the profits being distributed to local charities.
Last year, 2007, the final was fought out between Wharfedale and Doncaster Knights. The final played out and York saw the Knights take the Cup back to South Yorkshire where it currently resides. The quarter final stage has been reached, and a South Yorkshire Derby between two of the competitions big guns is to be played out. South Yorkshire’s two premier sides clash at Clifton Lane in the Yorkshire Cup a mere four days before they meet head to head in National league One.
The two sides met earlier in the season at Castle Park, the home of the Knights. South Yorkshire bragging rights were firmly claimed by the Doncaster side with a 39 to 15 points win that showed an almost complete performance by the Knights, and the early signs were evident of Tom Toke’s powerful running style developing.
The journey to the Quarter final has been relatively painless for both clubs, having to play only one game to reach this stage. Rotherham travelled up to North Yorkshire to take on York scoring 55 points to the home sides 17. Doncaster gave debuts against Cleckheaton to Steve Slingsby and Andrew Wilson, Wilson seriously impressing with his try scoring first game. Cleckheaton 3 v 61 Doncaster Knights was the result in a fantastic game for supporters of both teams.
And so to Wednesday.
Rotherham Titans host Doncaster Knights at Clifton lane with a 6.30pm kickoff, both sides looking to advance to the semi final phase which will surely feature Leeds Carnegie. The only club ranked higher than both teams play Bradford and Bingley at Headingley and are surely favourites to advance to the next round. With the league game in mind during the same week, neither side will have any intention of losing the psychological advantage a victory can give.
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