Devon RFU Senior Cup

The Devon Senior Cup is an annual rugby union league and cup club competition organized by the Devon Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced in the 1886-87 season and the inaugural competition was won by Tiverton.[1] During the early years of the cup the format changed several times from a knock-out competition to a league format, then to hybrid league/cup, then back to being a knock-out cup once again. The competition also was had periods of inactivity, with World War I preventing play for a number of seasons and then the cup being cancelled in the 1930s before being reintroduced for the 1969-70 season when it was won by St. Luke's College (now Exeter University). The Havill Plate was introduced in the 1970s for teams knocked out of the first round of the cup which would continue until 1999. Competitions similar to the Havill Plate were introduced in 2009 for teams that got knocked out of the earlier stages of the cup were introduced - plate (semi finals) and vase (quarter finals) - but these were discontinued due to a lack of interest by the clubs involved.[2]

For the football competition, see Devon Senior Cup.

Devon Senior Cup

Sport	Rugby Union
Instituted	1886 (1886)
Number of teams	6 (Cup) 4 (Shield)
Country	England
Holders	Barnstaple (13th title) (2018–19)
Most titles	Exeter (16 titles)
Website	Devon RFU

The Devon Senior Cup is currently the premier county cup competition for club sides based in Devon that play in tier 5 (South West Premier) of the English rugby union league system. Since 2018–19 the format will change from a knockout cup competition to a hybrid league-cup. Running alongside it will be the Devon Senior Shield, which is for club sides in Devon that play in tier 6 (Tribute South West 1 West) and will also take place in a hybrid league-cup format.[3][4]

Format from 2018–19

Senior Cup

Previously a knockout cup competition, for the 2018-19 season the format has been changed to a mini league, with league results between Devon teams playing in South West Premier also counted towards the Devon Senior Cup. At the end of the season the top two teams in this mini-league will then meet in the cup final, to be held at the home ground of the club with the superior league record. It is worth noting that these top two teams will not necessary be the highest ranked sides in South West Premier, as only games played against teams in Devon will count in the Senior Cup.[3]

Senior Shield

Running alongside the Senior Cup is the Devon Senior Plate, which has been reintroduced for the 2018–19 season, having been last played for back in the 2010–11 season. This will also involve a mini league with results for the Devon teams in Tribute South West 1 West counting towards the Shield, with the two top teams meeting in a final at the end of the season, at the home ground of the club with the superior record.[4]

Devon Senior Cup winners

Devon Senior Cup Finals
Season	Winner	Score	Runners–up	Venue
1886-87	Tiverton
1887-88[1][5]	Tiverton		Newton Abbot	County Ground, Exeter
1888-89[6]	Devonport Albion	3-0	Exeter	County Ground, Exeter
1889-90[7]	Exeter	10-6	Torquay Athletic	County Ground, Exeter
1890-91[8]	Devonport Albion	N/A[a 1]	RNEC	N/A
1891-92	Devonport Albion
1892-93	Devonport Albion
1893-94	Barnstaple
1894-95	Devonport Albion
1895-96	Sidmouth
1896-97[9]	Sidmouth	3-0	Totnes	County Ground, Exeter
1897-04	No competition
1904-05[10]	Plymouth	3-0	Exeter	Rectory Field, Plymouth
1905-06	Plymouth	12-4	Paignton
1906-07	Torquay Athletic
1907-08	Devonport Albion
1908-09[11]	Devonport Albion		Newton Abbot
1909-10	Plymouth
1910-11	Plymouth
1911-12	Devonport Albion
1912-13	Devonport Albion
1913-14	Devonport Albion
1914-20	No competition due to World War I
1920-21	Plymouth Albion
1921-22[12]	Brixham	3-0	Torquay Athletic	Rackerhayes, Kingsteignton
1922-23	Newton Abbot
1923-24	Newton Abbot
1924-25[13]	Exmouth		Newton Abbot
1925-26[12]	Barnstaple	11-3[a 2]	Brixham	County Ground, Exeter
1926-27	Newton Abbot
1927-28	Barnstaple
1928-29[12]	Teignmouth	6-3	Brixham	Recreation Ground, Torquay
1929-30[9]	Sidmouth	3-0	Brixham	Recreation Ground, Torquay
1930-31[9]	Paignton	6-0	Sidmouth
1931-32[14]	Brixham	9-0	Paignton	Recreation Ground, Torquay
1932-68	No competition
1968-69[15]	St. Luke's College		Plymouth Albion	Recreation Ground, Torquay
1969-70[16]	St. Luke's College	12-9	Barnstaple
1970-71	Exeter
1971-72	Exeter
1972-73	Exeter
1973-74	Plymouth Albion	16-6	St. Luke's College	Rectory Field, Plymouth
1974-75[17]	St. Luke's College	25-10	Barnstaple	County Ground, Exeter
1975-76	Exeter
1976-77	Plymouth Albion	10-0	Exeter	Beacon Park, Plymouth
1977-78[9]	Exeter	28-13	Sidmouth	County Ground, Exeter
1978-79	Torquay Athletic
1979-80	Exeter
1980-81[18]	Exeter University		Exeter
1981-82	Exeter
1982-83	Plymouth Albion	30-13	Devon & Cornwall Police	Beacon Park, Plymouth
1983-84	Plymouth Albion	22-7	Devon & Cornwall Police	Beacon Park, Plymouth
1984-85	Plymouth Albion	12-4	Exeter University	County Ground, Exeter
1985-86	Plymouth Albion	15-6	Exeter	County Ground, Exeter
1986-87	Plymouth Albion	47-12	Devonport Services	Beacon Park, Plymouth
1987-88[19]	Plymouth Albion	32-6	Okehampton	Showfield, Okehampton
1988-89	Exeter
1989-90	Exeter
1990-91	Exeter
1991-92	Exeter
1992-93	Exeter
1993-94	Exeter
1994-95	Exeter
1995-96	Exeter
1996-97[19]	Barnstaple		Okehampton	Showfield, Okehampton
1997-98[20]	Tiverton	23-14	Torquay Athletic	Recreation Ground, Torquay
1998-99	Barnstaple
1999-00	Barnstaple
2000-01	Barnstaple
2001-02	Barnstaple
2002-03[21]	Exmouth		Barnstaple	Pottingham Road, Barnstaple
2003-04[22]	Newton Abbot	33-31	Brixham	Astley Park, Brixham
2004-05[23]	Barnstaple	21-0	Cullompton	Stafford Park, Cullompton
2005-06	Exmouth
2006-07	Torquay Athletic		Paignton	Queen's Park, Paignton
2007-08[24]	Barnstaple	23-19	Exmouth	Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2008-09[25]	Barnstaple	21-0	Cullompton	Stafford Park, Cullompton
2009-10[26]	Barnstaple	28-25	Brixham	Astley Park
2010-11[27]	Exmouth	20-15	Newton Abbot	Rackerhayes, Kingsteignton
2011-12[28]	Exmouth	28-15	Brixham	Astley Park, Brixham
2012-13[29]	Exmouth	39-3	Barnstaple	Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2013-14[30]	Exmouth	31-12	Newton Abbot	Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2014-15[31]	Brixham	39-31	Newton Abbot	Rackerhayes, Kingsteignton
2015-16[32]	Exmouth	31-25	Brixham	Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2016-17[33]	Brixham	35-20	Okehampton	Astley Park, Brixham
2017-18[34]	Ivybridge	38-31	Exmouth	Cross-in-Hand, Ivybridge
2018-19[35]	Barnstaple	61-22	Exmouth	Pottingham Road, Barnstaple

[36][37]

Devon Senior Plate winners

Devon Senior Plate Finals
Season	Winner	Score	Runners–up	Venue
2009-10[38]	Paignton	28-3	Cullompton	Stafford Park, Cullompton
2010-11[36][39]	Barnstaple	50-12	Brixham	Pottington Road, Barnstaple

[36]

Devon Senior Shield winners

Devon Senior Plate Finals
Season	Winner	Score	Runners–up	Venue
2018-19[40]	Okehampton	24–20	Devonport Services	Showground, Okehampton

[36]

Devon Senior Vase winners

Devon Senior Vase Finals
Season	Winner	Score	Runners–up	Venue
2009-10[41]	Tiverton	20-15	Kingsbridge	Coronation Field, Tiverton
2010-11[42]	Cullompton	N/A[a 3]	Paignton	Stafford Park, Cullompton

[36]

Number of wins

Cup Exeter (16) Barnstaple (13) Devonport Albion (10) Exmouth (8) Plymouth Albion (8)[a 4] Plymouth RFC (5) Brixham (4) Exeter University (4)[a 5] Newton Abbot (4) Sidmouth (3) Torquay Athletic (3) Tiverton (3) Ivybridge (1) Paignton (1) Teignmouth (1)

Plate Barnstaple (1) Paignton (1) [36]

Shield Okehampton (1)

Vase Cullompton (1) Tiverton (1) [36]

Notes

1. The 1890-91 season saw the competition renamed the Devon League Cup and would take place in the form of a league for the next five seasons.
2. 1926 final was replayed after the first game finished 3-3.
3. Final was awarded to Cullompton as Paignton were unable to raise a side.[36]
4. If you include the Devon Cup titles won by Plymouth Albion's parent clubs - Devonport Albion and Plymouth RFC - that merged to create the modern club in the 1920s then they have actually won 23 titles which would make them the most prolific team in the competition's history.
5. Exeter University's figure includes Devon Cups won by St. Luke's College before it was amalgamated into Exeter University in 1978.

See also

• Devon RFU
• Devon Intermediate Cup
• Devon Junior Cup
• David Butt Memorial Trophy
• Havill Plate
• English rugby union system
• Rugby union in England

References

1. "History - Tiverton Rugby Club". Tiverton Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
2. "Finalists have no enthusiasm for the Devon Senior Plate". This is Cornwall. 22 April 2011.
3. "2018/19 Devon Senior Cup". Devon RFU. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
4. "2018/19 Devon Senior Shield". Devon RFU. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
5. "16th Season 1887-8" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
6. "17th Season 1888-9" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
7. "18th Season 1889-90" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
8. "19th Season 1890-91" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
9. "History Sidmouth RFC". Sidmouth RFC. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
10. "33rd Season 1904-95" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
11. "37th Season 1908-09" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
12. "Brixham Rugby Introduction". Brixham RFC. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
13. "Exmouth RFC Club History". Exmouth RFC. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
14. "1900-1939". BRFC Supporters. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
15. "DEVON CUP FINAL RUGBY PROGRAMME 1969". ebay. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
16. "Steve is still going strong after 50-year association with The Mariners!". Pembrokeshire Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
17. "Reunion for Barnstaple's 1975 Devon Cup rugby team". North Devon Journal. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
18. "Exeter v. Gloucester - Gloucester Rugby Heritage" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
19. "History Okehampton RFC". Oke Rugby. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
20. Wevill, Richard (23 April 2013). "Rugby club reflecting on two glorious moments". Mid Devon Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
21. "Cockles are in a mood to retain grip on cup". Western Morning New. 6 April 2012.
22. "Brixham win semi-final to set up Devon Cup final showdown". Brixham RFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 30 January 2017.
23. "'Professional' Barum deserve cup triumph". North Devon Journal. 26 April 2005.
24. "Exmouth pipped at the post". Exmouth Journal. 10 April 2008.
25. "Barum win the Devon Senior Cup". North Devon Journal. 25 April 2009.
26. "Full-strength Teigns have Force for final". Western Morning News. 11 May 2010.
27. "Second-half display wins Devon Cup for Exmouth". Western Morning News. 25 April 2011.
28. "Exmouth claim second successive County Cup win". Exmouth Journal. 1 May 2012.
29. "Early end to Barnstaple's Devon Senior Cup final challenge at Exmouth". North Devon Journal. 6 May 2013.
30. "RUGBY DEVON CUP FINAL: Exmouth hold on tight to cup as Newton Abbot fade away". Torquay Herald Express. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
31. "RUGBY: Brixham beat Newton Abbot to win Devon Senior Cup for the first in 83 years". Torquay Herald Express. 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
32. "RUGBY: Brixham get into good position but lose Devon Senior Cup to Exmouth at Imperial Ground". Torquay Herald Express. 1 May 2016.
33. "Brixham claim Devon Senior Cup with hard-earned win over Okehampton". Devon RFU. 29 April 2017.
34. "DEVON SENIOR CUP WINNERS". Ivybridge RFC (Pitchero). 13 May 2018.
35. "Exmouth lose Easter Saturday Devon Cup final at Barnstaple". Exmouth Journal. 20 April 2019.
36. "DRFU Handbook 2011-12" (PDF). Devon RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
37. "Devon Senior Cup winners". Devon RFU. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
38. "Cully beaten by Paignton". Western Morning News. 3 May 2010.
39. "Senior Plate date fails to inspire Brixham or Barum". This is Devon. 22 April 2011.
40. "GALLERY: Devonport Services so close to cup final upset against Okehampton". Plymouth Gazette. 22 April 2019.
41. "Okehampton dig in to edge out determined Crediton and claim inaugural cup victory". This is Cornwall. 3 May 2010.
42. "Cullompton win the cup and never win a game!". Cullompton RFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 1 February 2017.

External links

• Devon RFU