1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season

The 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second ever season of rugby league football. Following the success of the Northern Union's first season, several more clubs from the established Rugby Football Union joined the rebel competition. This resulted in the decision that for the 1896–97 season the competition should be split into two separate county championships: Lancashire and Yorkshire.[1] This season also saw the introduction of the Challenge Cup,[1] with Batley defeating St Helens in the inaugural final.[3]

1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season
StructureSeparate county competitions[1]
1896–97 Season
Top point-scorer(s)Rigg ( Halifax) 112[2]
Top try-scorer(s)Hannah ( Hunslet) 19 [2]
Joined LeagueYorkshire
Bramley
Castleford
Heckmondwike
Holbeck
Leeds Parish Church
Lancashire
Morecambe
Swinton
Salford
Lancashire Senior Competition
Champions Broughton Rangers
Yorkshire Senior Competition
ChampionsBrighouse Rovers

Season summary

Eight new teams joined the twenty-two teams already in the breakaway Northern Union, and so it was split into two county leagues for the 1896–97 season. The new teams were Bramley, Castleford, Heckmondwike, Holbeck, Leeds Parish Church, Morecambe, Swinton and Salford. Salford's first game was a 10-0 defeat away to Widnes on 5 September 1896.[4]

Mr J.E. Warren of the Warrington club was elected as the new President of the Northern Union.[1] Warren, previously Warrington's secretary, had played a key role in Warrington's involvement in the foundation of the Northern Union.[1]

The leading try scorer overall this season was Hannah of Hunslet, who crossed the line 19 times.[2] The leading goal kickers were Albert Goldthorpe of Hunslet and Sharpe of Liversedge who both successful 26 times.[2] The leading points scorer was Archie Rigg of Halifax with 112 points.[2]

Lancashire Senior Competition

After finishing second from the bottom of the competition in the previous season, Broughton Rangers made a remarkable turnaround to finish the 1896–97 competition at the top of the Lancashire division, just one competition point ahead of Oldham, who had won more matches and had a better points differential. Although participating in the Lancashire Senior Competition, Runcorn and Stockport were from Cheshire.

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Broughton Rangers 26195220152+14943
2 Oldham 26202424359+18442
3Tyldesley 26152915980+7932
4Runcorn 26135813462+7231
5Stockport 2614210157137+2030
6 Swinton 26125912582+4329
7 Warrington 2611510100124-2427
8 Leigh 2611411105147-4226
9 St. Helens 2610412122160-3824
10 Widnes 2610313113164-5123
11 Wigan 26871173118-4523
12 Rochdale Hornets 268117121167-4617
13 Salford 26351876191-11511
14Morecambe 26302352238-1866

Source: R.L.Yearbook 1995–96 cited in "The Vault".
League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.
Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.

Yorkshire Senior Competition

The previous season's champions, Manningham continued their good form in the Northern Union's second season, finishing in second place. However Brighouse took the Yorkshire championship with one win more than Manningham.

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1Brighouse Rangers 3022442136814548
2 Manningham 30214529112916246
3 Halifax 30184821911210740
4 Hunslet 30164102111387336
5 Hull 3015691521252736
6 Batley 30155101641263835
7 Bradford 30153121701571333
8 Wakefield Trinity 30134131721541830
9 Castleford 30116131781611728
10 Huddersfield 3010713142179-3727
11Liversedge 3013017176233-5726
12 Leeds 3010416115123-824
13Leeds Parish Church 309417129162-3322
14Bramley 309318101193-9221
15Holbeck 30741986223-13718
16Heckmondwike 30342372308-23610

Source: R.L.Yearbook 1995–96 cited in "The Vault".
League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.
Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.

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References
  1. Warrington Wolves. "The Northern Union". Warrington Wolves. Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  2. Raymond Fletcher; David Howes (1995). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1995-1996. London: Headline Book Publishing. p. 164. ISBN 0-7472-7817-2.
  3. "The History Of Rugby League". Rugby League Information. napit.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  4. "Salford first game". Salford City Reds Official Web Site, History page. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
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