The Yorkshire Cup returns

James Gordon

The 2019 pre-season will see the return of the Yorkshire Cup, which will be competed for by eight teams.

Championship sides Batley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Featherstone and York will be joined by Hunslet from League 1 and National Conference League champions Hunslet Parkside in a return of a famous rugby league name.

The new format will see two double headers in round 1 – with York facing Hunslet Parkside and Dewsbury playing Featherstone at the Tetley’s Stadium, Dewsbury on Saturday January 5; before Batley play Hunslet and Bradford face Halifax at Odsal on Sunday January 6.

The semi-finals will follow a week later before the Yorkshire Cup final on Sunday January 20.

It will have a straight knockout format, but all clubs will play three games.

Bradford chairman, Andrew Chalmers, said: “We are delighted to reignite the Yorkshire Cup a Competition which resonates loudly within the Rugby League Community in the County. We ourselves last played in the Cup in the 1989/90 season against Featherstone.  Now wouldn’t that be a great throwback final!”

The competition will have a new trophy, donated by Berry’s Jewellers, and will be sponsored by K2 Mechanical & Electrical Services.

Batley chairman, Kevin Nicholas, said: As part of a show of solidarity and to encourage supporters of all clubs to attend as many games as possible, the Clubs have agreed to share equally all gate receipts from every game over the 3 week period.

“In addition, we are expecting that the games in week 3 will all be played on a different day to the Yorkshire Cup Final to encourage everybody to attend the Final whether their team is in it or not, in the full knowledge that their support at that game will benefit their club financially as well as hopefully witnessing everything that a Yorkshire Cup Final will bring as a rugby league spectacle.”

The old Yorkshire Cup ran from 1905 through to 1992 and was last won by Wakefield. Leeds won the old competition a record 17 times, while Bradford won it 11 times, most recently in 1989.

Round 1 Double Header

  • Saturday the 5th of January 2019
  • Location: Tetley Stadium, Dewsbury
  • Game 1 – 1pm Kick Off – York City Knights vs Hunslet Parkside
  • Game 2 – 3:30pm Kick Off – Dewsbury Rams vs Featherstone

Round 1 Double Header

  • Sunday the 6th of January 2019
  • Location: Odsal Stadium, Bradford
  • Game 3 – 1pm Kick Off – Batley Bulldogs vs Hunslet RLFC
  • Game 4 – 3pm Kick Off – Bradford Bulls vs Halifax RLFC

Semi Finals line up will be drawn immediately following the Bradford v Halifax game at Odsal and will be played SF1 12th January & SF2 13th January 2019, details to be announced after draw.

The Yorkshire Cup Final will be played on Sunday 20th January 2019.

Championship Batley Bulldogs