The 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second 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. This season also saw the introduction of the Challenge Cup, with Batley defeating St Helens in the inaugural final.
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.
Mr J.E. Warren of the Warrington club was elected as the new President of the Northern Union. Warren, previously Warrington's secretary, had played a key role in Warrington's involvement in the foundation of the Northern Union.
The leading try scorer overall this season was Hannah of Hunslet, who crossed the line 19 times. The leading goal kickers were Albert Goldthorpe of Hunslet and Sharpe of Liversedge who both successful 26 times. The leading points scorer was Archie Rigg of Halifax with 112 points.
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.
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 Broughton Rangers26195220152+149432 Oldham26202424359+184423Tyldesley26152915980+79324Runcorn26135813462+72315Stockport2614210157137+20306 Swinton26125912582+43297 Warrington2611510100124-24278 Leigh2611411105147-42269 St. Helens2610412122160-382410 Widnes2610313113164-512311 Wigan26871173118-452312 Rochdale Hornets268117121167-461713 Salford26351876191-1151114Morecambe26302352238-1866
Source: .
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. TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1Brighouse Rangers30224421368145482 Manningham302145291129162463 Halifax301848219112107404 Hunslet301641021113873365 Hull30156915212527366 Batley301551016412638357 Bradford301531217015713338 Wakefield Trinity301341317215418309 Castleford3011613178161172810 Huddersfield3010713142179-372711Liversedge3013017176233-572612 Leeds3010416115123-82413Leeds Parish Church309417129162-332214Bramley309318101193-922115Holbeck30741986223-1371816Heckmondwike30342372308-23610
Source: .
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.
Challenge Cup
References
External links 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season at wigan.rlfans.com The First Challenge Cup final at rlhalloffame.org.uk Manningham's second season at bantamspast.co.uk Rugby League History at rlheritage.co.uk The Northern Union at warringtonwolves.org