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Rugby League War of the Roses

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War of the Roses
Lancashire
Yorkshire
SportRugby league
First meeting1895
Latest meeting2003
Statistics
Meetings total91
All-time seriesTied, 44-44-3

The War of the Roses (also known in its later years as the County of Origin Series) was the annual inter-county rugby league match between Lancashire and Yorkshire. The fixture began in 1895 as part of the County Championship until 1983, and continued as a stand-alone fixture until 2003 when the game was last play.

History

[edit]

Lancashire and Yorkshire first began contesting rugby league fixture in 1895 – the year of the sport's creation. The games were played as part of the United Kingdom's Inter-County Championship, a competition played every year with exceptions for the two world wars (1914–1918 and 1939–1945) and 1977–1978, until the competition was abandoned in 1983. During this time, the fixture became known as the "War of the Roses". Eligibility to play was established either by county of birth or in which county players had originally played the sport professionally.[1]

The Lancashire vs Yorkshire fixture was often the most popular and highest attended, reflecting the sport's higher popularity in these two counties. As a result, the fixture returned to the British rugby league calendar as a stand alone match in 1985 and was sponsored by Rodstock. The series lasted until 1991, when it was scrapped due to lack of interest.[2]

In 2001, the fixture was revived under the name of the "County of Origin" series, inspired by the success of Australia's State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland.[3][4] After three years, the Origin series games were discontinued due to a failure to attract high match attendances.[5]

The War of the Roses fixture was proposed for a return for a mid-season clash in 2025. The clubs decided not to go ahead with a fixture in 2025 but would consider re-introducing the fixture in 2026.[6]

Results

[edit]

The two teams have met in 91 competitive matches with each team having won 44 and three games ending in draws. In addition there have been a number of exhibition matches during the First and Second World Wars when the County Championship was suspended.

Rugby League Roses matches results[a]
Matches played as part of the County Championship
Season Date Venue Home team Score Away team
1895–1896 7 December 1895 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 0–8 Yorkshire
1895–1896 29 February 1896 Fartown, Huddersfield Yorkshire 3–8 Lancashire
1896–1897 21 November 1896 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 7–3 Yorkshire
1897–1898 20 November 1897 Park Avenue, Bradford Yorkshire 7–6 Lancashire
1898–1899 5 November 1898 New Barnes, Salford Lancashire 9–20 Yorkshire
1899–1900 4 November 1899 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 13–16 Lancashire
1900–1901 3 November 1900 The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale Lancashire 24–5 Yorkshire
1901–1902 15 February 1902 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 13–8 Lancashire
1902–1903 15 November 1902 The Willows, Salford Lancashire 13–0 Yorkshire
1903–1904 14 November 1903 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 0–8 Lancashire
1904–1905 12 November 1904 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 5–14 Yorkshire
1905–1906 4 November 1905 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 0–8 Lancashire
1906–1907 3 November 1906 The Willows, Salford Lancashire 19–0 Yorkshire
1907–1908 2 November 1907 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 15–11 Lancashire
1908–1909 31 October 1908 The Willows, Salford Lancashire 13–0 Yorkshire
1909–1910 4 November 1909 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 27–14 Lancashire
1910–1911 7 November 1910 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 17–3 Yorkshire
1911–1912 25 January 1912 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 12–13 Lancashire
1912–1913 16 December 1912 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 8–20 Yorkshire
1913–1914 10 December 1913 Fartown, Huddersfield Yorkshire 19–11 Lancashire
1919–1920 24 September 1919 The Cliff, Broughton Lancashire 15–5 Yorkshire
1920–1921 21 October 1920 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 18–3 Lancashire
1921–1922 4 October 1921 The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale Lancashire 2–5 Yorkshire
1922–1923 7 December 1922 Craven Park, Hull Yorkshire 11–11 Lancashire
1923–1924 8 December 1923 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 6–5 Yorkshire
1924–1925 29 November 1924 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 9–28 Lancashire
1925–1926 12 December 1925 City Road, St Helens Lancashire 26–10 Yorkshire
1926–1927 30 October 1926 Belle Vue, Wakefield Yorkshire 13–18 Lancashire
1927–1928 29 October 1927 Wilderspool, Warrington Lancashire 35–19 Yorkshire
1928–1929 3 November 1928 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 10–33 Lancashire
1929–1930 22 March 1930 The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale Lancashire 18–3 Yorkshire
1930–1931 18 October 1930 Belle Vue, Wakefield Yorkshire 25–15 Lancashire
1931–1932 17 October 1931 Wilderspool, Warrington Lancashire 11–8 Yorkshire
1932–1933 29 October 1932 Belle Vue, Wakefield Yorkshire 30–3 Lancashire
1933–1934 25 September 1933 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 12–15 Yorkshire
1934–1935 9 January 1935 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 5–5 Lancashire
1935–1936 12 October 1935 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 16–5 Yorkshire
1936–1937 21 October 1936 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 6–28 Lancashire
1937–1938 12 February 1938 The Athletic Grounds, Rochdale Lancashire 10–9 Yorkshire
1938–1939 26 October 1938 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 10–10 Lancashire
1945–1946 10 November 1945 Station Road, Swinton Lancashire 17–16 Yorkshire
1946–1947 9 November 1946 Parkside, Hunslet Yorkshire 13–10 Lancashire
1947–1948 12 November 1947 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 22–10 Yorkshire
1948–1949 3 May 1949 Thrum Hall, Halifax Yorkshire 3–12 Lancashire
1949–1950 5 October 1949 Wilderspool, Warrington Lancashire 22–13 Yorkshire
1950–1951 18 October 1950 Fartown, Huddersfield Yorkshire 23–15 Lancashire
1951–1952 10 October 1951 Kirkstall Lane, Leigh Lancashire 5–15 Yorkshire
1952–1953 28 April 1953 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 16–8 Lancashire
1953–1954 14 October 1953 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 18–10 Yorkshire
1954–1955 6 October 1954 Odsal, Bradford Yorkshire 20–10 Lancashire
1955–1956 26 September 1955 Watersheddings, Oldham Lancashire 26–10 Yorkshire
1956–1957 26 September 1956 The Boulevard, Hull Yorkshire 21–35 Lancashire
1957–1958 23 September 1957 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 11–25 Yorkshire
1958–1959 24 September 1958 Craven Park, Hull Yorkshire 35–19 Lancashire
1958–1959 29 October 1958 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 15–16 Yorkshire
1959–1960 11 November 1959 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 28–38 Yorkshire
1960–1961 31 August 1960 Belle Vue, Wakefield Yorkshire 20–21 Lancashire
1961–1962 9 October 1961 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 14–12 Yorkshire
1962–1963 26 September 1962 Belle Vue, Wakefield Yorkshire 22–8 Lancashire
1963–1964 11 September 1963 Knowsley Road, St Helens Lancashire 45–20 Yorkshire
1964–1965 23 September 1964 The Boulevard, hull Yorkshire 33–10 Lancashire
1965–1966 10 November 1965 Station Road, Swinton Lancashire 13–16 Yorkshire
1966–1967 21 September 1966 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 17–22 Lancashire
1967–1968 24 January 1968 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 23–17 Yorkshire
1968–1969 25 September 1968 Craven Park, Hull Yorkshire 10–5 Lancashire
1969–1970 3 September 1969 The Willows, Salford Lancashire 14–12 Yorkshire
1970–1971 13 January 1971 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 32–12 Lancashire
1970–1971 24 February 1971 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 34–8 Lancashire
1971–1972 29 September 1971 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 22–42 Yorkshire
1972–1973 11 October 1972 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 32–18 Lancashire
1973–1974 19 September 1973 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 17–15 Yorkshire
1974–1975 25 September 1974 Lawkholme Lane, Keighley Yorkshire 20–14 Lancashire
1974–1975 16 October 1974 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 29–11 Yorkshire
1975–1976 20 December 1975 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 7–17 Yorkshire
1976–1977 1 March 1977 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 18–13 Lancashire
1977–1978[b] 19 October 1977 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 33–8 Yorkshire
1978–1979 27 September 1978 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 23–7 Yorkshire
1979–1980 12 September 1979 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 19–16 Lancashire
1980–1981 24 September 1980 Naughton Park, Widnes Lancashire 17–9 Yorkshire
1981–1982 9 September 1981 Wheldon Road, Castleford Yorkshire 21–15 Lancashire
1982–1983 26 May 1982 Hilton Park, Leigh Lancashire 21–22 Yorkshire
Source[7]
Match played as "Rodstock War of the Roses"
Season Date Venue Home team Score Away team
1985–1986 11 September 1985 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 10–26 Yorkshire
1986–1987 17 September 1986 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 26–14 Lancashire
1987–1988 16 September 1987 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 10–16 Yorkshire
1988–1989 21 September 1988 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 24–14 Lancashire
1989–1990 20 September 1989 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 12–56 Yorkshire
1991–1992 18 September 1991 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 17–12 Lancashire
Source[7]
Match played as the "County of Origin Series"
Season Date Venue Home team Score Away team
2001 5 June 2001 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 24–36 Lancashire
2002 14 June 2002 JJB Stadium, Wigan Lancashire 22–18 Yorkshire
2002 18 June 2002 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 28–36 Lancashire
2003 2 July 2003 Odsal, Bradford Yorkshire 56–6 Lancashire
Source[7]

Women's Roses

[edit]
Women's War of the Roses
Lancashire
Yorkshire
SportRugby league
First meeting2014
Latest meeting2024

Foundations

[edit]

In 2014, a pilot County Origin game between Lancashire Ladies and Yorkshire Ladies was held in Wigan. The trophy was won by Lancashire. The following year, the RFL announced that the 2015 County Origin Series would take place at Thatto Heath Crusaders, St. Helens, with the competition being played as an annual fixture until 2020 with the exception of 2017.

The 2015 game saw the sides share the honours after a 22–22 draw, with an attendance of around 500.[8][9] The match, held on 18 October 2015, followed a Lancashire Girls vs Yorkshire Girls under 18s match, which finished 34–0 in favour of the Yorkshire side.[9]

Results

[edit]
Women's Rugby League Roses matches results (2014–2020)
Season Venue Home team Score Away team
2014 Wigan St Jude's, Wigan Lancashire 22–0[10] Yorkshire
2015 St. Helens Lancashire 22–22[9] Yorkshire
2016 Stanningley Yorkshire 16–22[11] Lancashire
2018 Post Office Road, Featherstone Yorkshire 10–16[12] Lancashire
2019 Bloomfield Road, Blackpool Lancashire 8–14[13] Yorkshire
Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Lancashire 20–27[13] Yorkshire
Yorkshire win series 2–0
2020 Weetwood sports ground, Leeds Yorkshire 8–15 Lancashire
Mount Pleasant, Batley Yorkshire 12–12 Lancashire
Weetwood sports ground, Leeds Yorkshire 0–23 Lancashire
Lancashire win series 2–0[14]

England selection

[edit]

The series ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Origin fixture returned in 2024 ahead of England's mid-season friendly again France. England head coach, Stuart Barlow, selected Lancashire and Yorkshire squads and ran regional training sessions with each culminating in the Origin fixture a week before the England fixture. Match day performances in Origin, and performances in regional training were used to selected the national squad going into the final of England training.[15] The same process was used for England's post-season friendly against Wales.[16]

Results

[edit]
Women's Rugby League Roses matches results (2024–)
Date Venue Home team Score Away team
19 June 2024 Crown Flatt, Dewsbury[15] Yorkshire 12–20 Lancashire
19 October 2024 Boundary Park, Oldham Lancashire 20–12[17] Yorkshire

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Table excludes exhibition matches
  2. ^ Played as the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fund match

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lush, Peter & Farrar, Dave, eds. (1998). Tries in the Valleys: A history of rugby league in Wales. London League. p. 65. ISBN 978-0952-606437.
  2. ^ Craven, Dave (13 June 2011). "Sporting Bygones: When Yorkshire was 'an empire worth defending' under legend Fox". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  3. ^ Butcher, Tim, ed. (November 2002). Rugby League 2002-2003. League Publications. pp. 165–166. ISBN 1-901347-10-9.
  4. ^ Woods, Dave (31 May 2001). "Origin game evolves". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  5. ^ Jackson, William (13 June 2020). "Yorkshire v Lancashire - how the teams would look today". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. ^ Shaw, Matthew (6 November 2024). "War of the Roses U-turn as Super League's 2025 schedule takes unexpected twist". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "War of Roses". World of Rugby League. Archived from the original on 19 January 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. ^ "County Origin Renewed". RFL Womens Rugby League. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  9. ^ a b c "Origin seals a dramatic end to season". Women's Rugby League. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Lancashire at the double". rugby-league.com. RFL. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Lancashire are Origin champions!". rugby-league.com. RFL. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Lancashire take Origin bragging rights in Warrington". rugby-league.com. RFL. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Yorkshire leave it late but take Super League Women's Origin series". rugby-league.com. RFL. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Lancashire seal 2-0 Women's Origin Series victory". rugby-league.com. RFL. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. ^ a b Robinson, Jack (13 June 2024). "Sixteen Saints Women named in National Performance Squad". St.Helens R.F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Boundary Park to host Women's Origin clash". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Women's Origin | Davies dazzles for Lancashire". RFL. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
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