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Yorkshire Cup Semi-Final
Goole RUFC23 Apr - 08:12
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Goole Host Cleckheaton
Goole will welcome Cleckheaton on Wednesday in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup. It’s not very often we get the chance to write about our Yorkshire trophy successes, but this is a good opportunity, even if we do have to go back a few generations. Back in the early days of success Goole won the Yorkshire Shield twice:
• 1937-38 when they beat Hessle 11 – 6 in a final at Selby and retained the shield the following 1938-39 season beating Brighouse Rangers 6 – 0 at Cleckheaton. Since that date we have been unsuccessful in the Shield competition with limited success.
Goole’s crowning glory in the 1950’s was linked to the main Yorkshire Cup competition that was affectionally known as the “T’Owd Tin Pot” in them t’owd days. The Goole Grammar School Old Boys as they were then were recognised as the little club with a long name, G.G.S.O.B.R.U.F.C. with a reputation of giantkillers in Yorkshire Rugby. They reached their first Yorkshire Cup final in April 1953 by beating Roundhay at Harrogate to reach the Challenge Cup Final for the first time in their history. After surprising everyone by beating high flying Roundhay 5 -3 they disappointingly lost to Morley in the final 8 – 3.
Not to be too dispirited they continued to have some excellent cup results in the next few seasons before reaching the Challenge Cup final again in April 1956, coincidentally beating Cleckheaton in an earlier round and, also playing all their games away from home. In the final, Goole played Old Pomfretians (Pontefract Old Boys) at Bradford in a dower game that ended 3 – 3. The replay, the following Saturday was played at Selby and Goole triumphed 6 – 0 thanks to a three point try from Exley and a penalty kick by Waddington. The match reports recorded it as a dower game that Goole should have won by more points after being the better side in the second half. It is interesting to read the names of the players as some would be recognised on the Presidents and Captains boards in the club but the one that I recognise is Russ Hewitt who’s son John played with many of us older boys back in the 1970’s and 80’s. Interesting to note that 21 year old Russ was one of the star players in that side and played at loose forward at just 5ft 7ins and 12st 7lbs.
In addition to the above successes, we can also add our 2014 Yorkshire Silver Trophy Final win against Castleford. That makes us winners of all three of the Yorkshire RFU Cup Competitions. I wonder how many other Yorkshire Clubs can make that claim?
• 1937-38 when they beat Hessle 11 – 6 in a final at Selby and retained the shield the following 1938-39 season beating Brighouse Rangers 6 – 0 at Cleckheaton. Since that date we have been unsuccessful in the Shield competition with limited success.
Goole’s crowning glory in the 1950’s was linked to the main Yorkshire Cup competition that was affectionally known as the “T’Owd Tin Pot” in them t’owd days. The Goole Grammar School Old Boys as they were then were recognised as the little club with a long name, G.G.S.O.B.R.U.F.C. with a reputation of giantkillers in Yorkshire Rugby. They reached their first Yorkshire Cup final in April 1953 by beating Roundhay at Harrogate to reach the Challenge Cup Final for the first time in their history. After surprising everyone by beating high flying Roundhay 5 -3 they disappointingly lost to Morley in the final 8 – 3.
Not to be too dispirited they continued to have some excellent cup results in the next few seasons before reaching the Challenge Cup final again in April 1956, coincidentally beating Cleckheaton in an earlier round and, also playing all their games away from home. In the final, Goole played Old Pomfretians (Pontefract Old Boys) at Bradford in a dower game that ended 3 – 3. The replay, the following Saturday was played at Selby and Goole triumphed 6 – 0 thanks to a three point try from Exley and a penalty kick by Waddington. The match reports recorded it as a dower game that Goole should have won by more points after being the better side in the second half. It is interesting to read the names of the players as some would be recognised on the Presidents and Captains boards in the club but the one that I recognise is Russ Hewitt who’s son John played with many of us older boys back in the 1970’s and 80’s. Interesting to note that 21 year old Russ was one of the star players in that side and played at loose forward at just 5ft 7ins and 12st 7lbs.
In addition to the above successes, we can also add our 2014 Yorkshire Silver Trophy Final win against Castleford. That makes us winners of all three of the Yorkshire RFU Cup Competitions. I wonder how many other Yorkshire Clubs can make that claim?
Further reading