Rugby League War of the Roses

The War of the Roses, (also known in its last years as the County of Origin Series) was the inter-county rugby league matches between representative teams from Yorkshire and Lancashire, the areas where rugby league has traditionally been most popular in England. The series started in 1895 and was last played in 2003.

War of the Roses
SportRugby league
Instituted1895
Ceased2003
Number of teams2
Country England (RFL)
Related competitionCounty Championship

History

The first War of the Roses was contested in 1895 as part of the County Championship. The majority of the clubs in rugby league came from Yorkshire and Lancashire and the fixtures was held almost annually, with exceptions for the two world wars (1914–1918 and 1939–1945) and 1977–1978, until 1983 when the County Championship was abandoned. Fixtures between Lancashire and Yorkshire briefly returned firstly between 1985 and 1991 and then again between 2001 and 2003. Eligibility to play was established either by county of birth or in which county players had originally played the sport professionally.[1]

In 1985, an annual fixture between Lancashire and Yorkshire was proposed as a replacement for the County Championship. The fixture became known as the Rodstock War of the Roses and the first game was played in September 1985. The series lasted until 1991, when it was scrapped due to lack of interest.[2]

The fixture was revived in 2001 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 falling attendances.[5]

Roses matches have continued at amateur level as part of the BARLA Three Counties Championship but despite several calls for a return at professional level the fixture remains unplayed.[6][5]

Results

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[lower-alpha 1]
All games played as part of the County Championship unless stated otherwise. Bold text denotes winning team.
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 Hanson Place, 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[lower-alpha 2] 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
1985–1986[lower-alpha 3] 11 September 1985 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 10–26 Yorkshire
1986–1987[lower-alpha 3] 17 September 1986 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 26–14 Lancashire
1987–1988[lower-alpha 3] 16 September 1987 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 10–16 Yorkshire
1988–1989[lower-alpha 3] 21 September 1988 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 24–14 Lancashire
1989–1990[lower-alpha 3] 20 September 1989 Central Park, Wigan Lancashire 12–56 Yorkshire
1991–1992[lower-alpha 3] 18 September 1991 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 17–12 Lancashire
2001[lower-alpha 4] 5 June 2001 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 24–36 Lancashire
2002[lower-alpha 4] 14 June 2002 JJB Stadium, Wigan Lancashire 22–18 Yorkshire
2002[lower-alpha 4] 18 June 2002 Headingley, Leeds Yorkshire 28–36 Lancashire
2003[lower-alpha 4] 2 July 2003 Odsal, Bradford Yorkshire 56–6 Lancashire
Source[7]
  1. Table excludes exhibition matches
  2. Played as the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fund match
  3. Played as a "Rodstock War of the Roses" match
  4. Played as a "Origin series" match

International touring teams

Both Lancashire and Yorkshire have played numerous matches against touring Australian and New Zealand teams.[8][9] From the 1967–68 Kangaroo Tour, both Lancashire and Yorkshire were taken off the Australian's itinerary with the only county side they played being Cumbria. The two teams also played in the only Rugby League County Championship in 1974–75.

Lancashire
Game No.DateResultVenueAttendanceNotes
118 January 1908 Lancashire def. New Zealand 20–4Watersheddings, Oldham1907–08 All Golds tour
225 November 1908 Australia def. Lancashire 20–6Central Park, Wigan4,0001908–09 Kangaroo Tour
38 March 1909 Lancashire def. Australia 19–14Wheater's Field, Broughton4,000
42 October 1911 Australasia def. Lancashire 25–12Ewood Park, Blackburn5,0001911–12 Kangaroo Tour
530 November 1921 Australasia def. Lancashire 29–6Goodison Park, Everton17,0001921–22 Kangaroo Tour
614 December 1921 Lancashire def. Australasia 8–6Wilderspool, Warrington6,000
73 January 1927 Lancashire def. New Zealand 28–37,0001926–27 New Zealand Kiwis tour
826 September 1929 Australasia def. Lancashire 29–14Wilderspool, Warrington24,0001929–30 Kangaroo Tour
920 September 1933 Australia def. Lancashire 33–7Wilderspool, Warrington16,5761933–34 Kangaroo Tour
1029 September 1937 Lancashire def. Australia 7–5Wilderspool, Warrington16,2501937–38 Kangaroo Tour
118 December 1948 Lancashire def. Australia 13–8Central Park, Wigan11,7881948–49 Kangaroo Tour
1222 November 1951 Lancashire def. New Zealand 13–121951–52 New Zealand Kiwis tour
1330 November 1952 Australia def. Lancashire 36–11Wilderspool, Warrington5,8631952–53 Kangaroo Tour
1423 September 1959 Lancashire def. Australia 30–22Knowsley Road, St. Helens15,7431959–60 Kangaroo Tour
1525 September 1963 Lancashire def. Australia 13–11Central Park, Wigan15,0681963–64 Kangaroo Tour
1630 November 1967 Australia def. Lancashire 14–2The Willows, Salford9,3691967–68 Kangaroo Tour

Yorkshire
Game No.DateResultVenueAttendanceNotes
118 December 1907 New Zealand def. Yorkshire 23–4Belle Vue, Wakefield1907–08 All Golds tour
25 November 1908 Australia def. Yorkshire 21–11The Boulevard, Kingston upon Hull3,5001908–09 Kangaroo Tour
325 September 1911 Australasia def. Yorkshire 33–13Bramall Lane, Sheffield4,0001911–12 Kangaroo Tour
47 December 1921 Australasia def. Yorkshire 24–8Belle Vue, Wakefield6,0001921–22 Kangaroo Tour
515 December 1926 Yorkshire def. New Zealand 17–16Fartown, Huddersfield3,0001926–27 New Zealand Kiwis tour
620 November 1929 Australasia def. Yorkshire 25–12Belle Vue, Wakefield7,0111929–30 Kangaroo Tour
713 September 1933 Australia def. Yorkshire 13–0Headingley, Leeds10,3091933–34 Kangaroo Tour
86 October 1937 Australia def. Yorkshire 8–4Odsal, Bradford7,5701937–38 Kangaroo Tour
924 November 1948 Yorkshire def. Australia 5–2Headingley, Leeds5,3101948–49 Kangaroo Tour
105 December 1951 New Zealand def. Yorkshire 10–32,9581951–52 New Zealand Kiwis tour
1126 November 1952 Australia def. Yorkshire 55–11Fartown, Huddersfield3,7371952–53 Kangaroo Tour
1228 September 1959 Yorkshire def. Australia 47–15Clarence Street, York7,3381959–60 Kangaroo Tour
1318 September 1963 Yorkshire def. Australia 11–5Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull10,3241963–64 Kangaroo Tour
144 October 1967 Yorkshire def. Australia 15–14Belle Vue, Wakefield19,3701967–68 Kangaroo Tour

Women's Rugby League

In 2015, the RFL announced that they would stage the inaugural Women's "War of the Roses", between Lancashire Ladies and Yorkshire Ladies. The match, which took place at Thatto Heath Crusaders, St. Helens, saw the sides share the honours after a 22–22 draw, with an attendance of around 500.[10]

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.

Results
Year Winner Score Venue Attendance
2015 Draw 22–22[11] St. Helens 500
2016 Lancashire 22–16[12] Stanningley
2017
2018 Lancashire 16–10[13] Post Office Road, Featherstone
2019 Yorkshire 14–8[14] Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
Yorkshire 22–20[14] Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
2020 Lancashire 15–8[15] Weetwood sports ground, Leeds
Draw 12–12[15] Mount Pleasant, Batley
Lancashire 23–0[16] Weetwood sports ground, Leeds

Origin Legends

In 2017, Rugby AM announced a charity game between Yorkshire and Lancashire legends at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, which saw Yorkshire defeat Lancashire 14–12. The following year Yorkshire retained their Origin Legends title with a 32–14 victory over Lancashire in Castleford. 28 August 2019 saw the return of the game at Headingley and notable players including Gary Connolly, Denis Betts and Sean Long for Lancashire and Jason Robinson, Stuart Fielden and Rob Burrow for Yorkshire. The game was won 21–18 by Lancashire

See also

References
  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". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  3. Butcher, Tim (ed.). 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. "BARLA Three Counties Announcement". www.barla.org.uk. BARLA. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. "War of Roses". World of Rugby League. Archived from the original on 19 January 2004. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. Lancashire at Rugby League Project
  9. Yorkshire at Rugby League Project
  10. "County Origin Renewed". RFL Womens Rugby League. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  11. "Origin seals a dramatic end to season". Women's Rugby League. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  12. "Lancashire are Origin champions!". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  13. Flynn, Leanne (16 May 2019). "Rhinos Women have five named in Women's Rugby League Origin squad". Leeds Rhinos. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. "Yorkshire leave it late but take Super League Women's Origin series". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. "Yorkshire earn late draw in Women's Origin". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  16. "Lancashire seal 2-0 Women's Origin Series victory". www.rugby-league.com. RFL. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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