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RFU Intermediate Cup

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RFU Intermediate Cup
Current season or competition:
2018–19 RFU Intermediate Cup
SportRugby union
Instituted1997; 27 years ago (1997)
Number of teamsLevel 7 of English rugby
NationsEngland (RFU)
HoldersKenilworth (1st title) (2018–19)
WebsiteEngland Rugby
Related competitionSenior Vase, Junior Vase

The RFU Intermediate Cup is a rugby union national knockout cup competition in England run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by teams at level 7 of the English rugby union system. While the competition is a national one, it is however split into regions until the semi-finals with the final being held at Twickenham Stadium in London.[1] It was first contested in 1997.[2] Presently, the RFU Intermediate Cup is the third most important club cup competition in England, behind the Premiership Rugby Cup and RFU Championship Cup.

History

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The RFU Intermediate Cup was first contested in 1997 for clubs at Level 7 of English rugby.[3] The competition was initially unsponsored but later gained sponsorship from NPI,[4] Powergen[5] and EDF Energy[6] before becoming known as the "RFU Intermediate Cup" solely un-sponsored by 2008.[7] The largest crowd for a final was set in 2016 for the match between Kent based Tunbridge Wells RFC and Cumbria's St. Benedict's where 9,000 Tunbridge Wells fans attended the final.[8][9] A number of future RFU Championship clubs have played in the RFU Intermediate Cup prior to promotion to the second tier with Jersey Reds,[10] Hartpury College,[7] Doncaster Knights[2] and Richmond all taking part in the past.[11]

Current format

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The rounds are contested on a regional basis between the four regional unions until the semi-finals, where the winner of each region enters the national competition. Each region decides their representative separately. For example, London and South East use a direct knockout competition of all teams in the region[12] while South West split their region into Southern Counties and South Western Counties with the winners playing each other to be the region's representative.[13] Each regional champion plays another set champion with the ground being one of the semi-finalist's home.[14] The semi-finals pairings are London & South East against South West and Midlands against North.[15] The winners of the semis play each other in the final at Twickenham Stadium.[1]

North

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The format for northern teams involved in the RFU Intermediate Cup is a league-cup hybrid with each county union in the region selecting one representative each. The first stage features a mini league with clubs from Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire meeting in one pool and clubs from Durham County, Northumberland and Yorkshire, meeting in the other, each side playing 2 games each. The winners of each group then meet in the north final to determine who goes forward to the national semi-finals.[16] The competition involves representative teams from the following level 7 leagues:

Midlands

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The format for Midlands teams involved in the RFU Senior Vase is a direct knockout cup with a 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round, semi-finals and final. The winner of the final goes forward to the Senior Vase national semi-finals.[17] The competition involves all teams from the following level 7 leagues:

London and South East

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As with the Midlands the format for London and South East teams involved in the RFU Senior Vase is a direct knockout cup with a 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round, semi-finals and final. The winner of the final goes forward to the Senior Vase national semi-finals.[18] The competition involves all teams from the following level 7 leagues:

South West

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The format for the south-west teams is more complex with different methods of qualification decided on by the county unions that they represent. Clubs that are affiliated with Dorset & Wilts and Gloucestershire play in county based knock-out competitions first. The winners of the Dorset & Wilts competition then plays in the Southern Counties semi-finals against representatives from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, while the Gloucestershire winners play in the South West Counties semi-finals against representative from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, with the winners then meeting in a regional final. Finally, the Southern Counties and South West Counties winners meet to determine qualification for the national semi-finals.[19] Teams involved are from the following level 7 leagues:

Competition results

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Season Winner Score Runners–up Name
1996–97 Thanet Wanderers (SE) 21–13[20][2] Doncaster (N) NPI Intermediate Cup[21][22]
1997–98 Bedford Athletic (M) 29–24 (aet)[23] Stroud (SW)
1998–99 Aldwinians (N) 21–10[24][25] Dudley Kingswinford (M)
1999–00 Dunstablians (M) 14–10[26] Hull Ionians (N)
2000–01 Old Patesians (SW) 25–24[27] Blaydon (N)
2001–02 Halifax (N) 43–19[28][29] Gosport and Fareham (SE) Powergen Intermediate Cup[30]
2002–03 Hertford (SE) 31–16[5][31] Bristol St Mary's Old Boys (SW)
2003–04 Bradford & Bingley (N) 46–18[32] Gloucester Old Boys (SW)
2004–05 Morley (N) 21–11[33] Westoe (N)
2005–06 Stockport (N) 11–3[34] Morley (N)
2006–07 Mounts Bay (SW) 46–36[35] Dunstablians (M) EDF Energy Intermediate Cup[36]
2007–08 Chester (N) 21–18[6] Birkenhead Park (N)
2008–09 Hartpury College (SW) 41–31[7] Clifton (SW)
2009–10 Old Redcliffians (SW) 42–21[37] Northern (N) RFU Intermediate Cup
2010–11 Stoke-on-Trent (M) 16–10[38] Aylesford Bulls (SE)
2011–12 East Grinstead (SE) 34–18[39] Ilkley (N)
2012–13 Brighton (SE) 30–22[40] Bridlington (N)
2013–14 Trowbridge (SW) 22–19[41] Leek (M)
2014–15 Maidstone (SE) 31–18[42] Bridgnorth (M)
2015–16 Tunbridge Wells (SE) 56–14[43] St. Benedict's (N)
2016–17 West Leeds (N) 35–26[44] Charlton Park (SE)
2017–18 Camberley (SE) 63–14[45] Droitwich (M)
2018–19 Kenilworth (M) 32–26[46] Matson (SW)
2019-20 Not contested due to COVID-19 Pandemic
(N) stands for Northern region, (M) for Midlands, (SE) for London & South East, (SW) for South-west

Number of wins

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Club

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Region

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Notes

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Undefeated and off to Twickenham". Times of Tunbridge Wells. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Thanet Wanderers and the Flying Pig". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Medway vs Deal & Betteshanger" (PDF). Medway RFC. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  4. ^ "History beckons in Surrey Cup final". Get Surrey. 15 April 1999. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b "2003 Powergen Intermediate Cup Final". Hertford RFC. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Chester RFC : We won cup for injured Aled". Daily Post. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Clifton 31–41 Hartpury College". BBC Sport. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Tunbridge Wells Honoured at Twickenham for a Perfect Campaign". Kent and Sussex Courier. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  9. ^ "A well-run club is the route to victory…". Times of Tunbridge Wells. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Jersey draw London Nigerian in Powergen Intermediate Cup". Jersey Evening Post. 21 September 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Richmond appeal for fast-track promotion". London Evening Standard. 8 March 2001. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Intermediate Cup 2015–16". RFU London. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Rugby: Windsor Rugby Club win the Southern Counties Intermediate Cup but Anthony Andrews is not getting too carried away". Royal Borough Observer. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Droitwich gripped by rugby cup fever". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  15. ^ Colin Channon (13 March 2018). "Whitchurch Rugby Club urge residents to support their bid for Twickenham glory". Whitchurch Herald. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  16. ^ "Northern Division Cups". England RFU. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  17. ^ "Midlands Division Cups". England RFU. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  18. ^ "London & SE Division Cups". England RFU. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  19. ^ "South West Division Cups". England RFU. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  20. ^ "1996–99 Rugby World Information". Rugbyrelics.com. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  21. ^ "History Of LRFC". Leamington RFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Scenic route gives Perry perspective". The Independent. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  23. ^ Paul Trow (2 May 1998). "Rugby Union: Rees ruled out of tour". The Independent. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  24. ^ "CHRIS DALY 26/10/1946 – 30/1/2017". Aldwinians RUFC. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Twickenham target fires DK stalwart Wilson". Birmingham Post. 11 January 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  26. ^ "Coogan Replaces Jacko". Bedford Today. 15 June 2000. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  27. ^ "Father and Son: I was so nervous when I played rugby with my son Jack, says Rich Harvey". Old Patesians. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  28. ^ "Irish end long wait for trophy; London Irish – 38, Northampton – 7". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  29. ^ "It's not such a fairytale ending". Southern Daily Echo. 22 April 2002. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  30. ^ "Powergen to sponsor English National Cup". ESPN. 6 December 2001. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  31. ^ "Rugby Union – Powergen Intermediate Cup – Final – St Mary's Old Boys v Hertford Pictures". Getty Images. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  32. ^ Wildman, Rob (19 April 2004). "Bradford keep Old Boys at bay". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Morley's field day at 'mental' Twickenham". Yorkshire Evening Post. 18 April 2005. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  34. ^ "Shattered dreams". Morley Observer. 11 April 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  35. ^ "Fixtures". The Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.(registration required)
  36. ^ "EDF extends rugby sponsorship with new RFU and Premier deal". Marketing Week. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  37. ^ "Old Reds claim Twickenham victory". BBC Sport. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Stoke win RFU Intermediate Cup". Rugby World. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  39. ^ Mike Legg (5 May 2012). "East Grinstead triumph at Twickenham". The Argus. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  40. ^ "RFU Intermediate Cup". Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  41. ^ Owen Houlihan (8 May 2014). "Trowbridge at Twickenham: Fans' support was overwhelming, says Ojomoh". Wiltshire Times. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  42. ^ McConnell, Ed (4 May 2015). "Maidstone coach Paul Hathaway reaction to winning RFU Intermediate Cup at Twickenham against Bridgnorth". Kent Online. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  43. ^ The News Desk (11 May 2016). "Wells make history with cup and league double". Times of Tunbridge Wells. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Super West Leeds dig in to get over the line and make it a Twickenham double". Yorkshire Post. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  45. ^ "Rugby: Droitwich suffer nine-try Twickenham beating in RFU Intermediate Cup final". Worcester News. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  46. ^ "Kenilworth hold off Matson comeback in Intermediate Cup". England Rugby. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
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