1 YORKS win Yeoman Cup

In its 20th Anniversary Season, the Army Rugby League, Yeoman (Inter-Unit) Cup single day festival of Rugby League took place in Aldershot on Wednesday the 4th June 2014, organised by WO1 (ASM) Billy Hopkins REME, competition Secretary.

Over 200 soldiers took part in a great day of Rugby, in a 4 tier final competition where the Cup Final was a classic “War of the Roses”; with the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS) playing the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS). 1 YORKS were the current holders of the Yeoman Cup having taken the title last year, as 3 YORKS (The Dukes) the day before the Regiment was renamed in 2013, as part of the reorganisation of the Army. 1 LANCS were the first to score converting their try and leading 1 YORKS at half time 6 – 4. 1 YORKS then went up a few gears running out winners 16 – 6.

All eight Teams who made the Finals were presented with a bespoke 20th Anniversary Army Rugby League T-Shirt by the Director Army Community Rugby League; Major Rich Naivalurua REME.

10 Training Battalion REME beat 26 Engineer Regiment in the Plate Final, 11 Training Battalion REME beat 1st Battalion the MERCIAN Regiment in the Shield Final and 21 Engineer Regiment beat REDWINGS (Wimbish Station) in the Bowl Final. The Yeoman Cup and Finalist Silver Salvers were presented by Mr Andy Lindley Leeds Rhinos and RFL Coach Educator, a great supporter of Armed Forces Rugby League, who was also delivering a Level 2 UKCC RL Coaching course in Aldershot.

The Army Rugby League Naivalurua 9s Cup will be held in Aldershot on Wednesday 18th June 2014, where it is hoped even more soldiers take the field of play. The Parachute Regiment who are currently just returning from a Rugby League Tour to Australia, are the current holders of the Army Rugby League Naivalurua 9s Cup, having beaten the Dukes in the Final in 2013.