In the first match of the new look 1895 Cup, York Knights defeated Newcastle Thunder 114-10 in one of the biggest scorelines seen in the sport.
Newcastle have had a really tough off season. After being relegated from the Championship, the club released a statement revealing they were set to withdraw from the Betfred League One like the London Skolars.
In the end, they were able to keep the club afloat in 2024. They were able to re-enter League One and the 1895 Cup Final but still have a squad which needs a lot of work after a number of key exits.
The club, who turned professional less than four years ago, are in a tough spot and that was shown as they conceded 100 points to York in the first 1895 Cup game of the new era.
It was a good moment for York who in 2022 conceded 100 points themselves against Leigh Leopards, then the Leigh Centurions, who were on the road to promotion and would beat York again in the play-offs.
There were hat-tricks for debutant Will Dagger and second-rower Connor Bailey as York remarkably came from 6-0 down to lead 114-6 before a try at the death from Newcastle.
They trailed 46-6 at halftime and things only got worse in the second half. Credit to Newcastle though. This was their return after a real struggle and just taking to the pitch is a victory for the club.
1895 Cup has a new format
Halifax Panthers lift the 1895 cup *** during the Betfred Championship match between Halifax Panthers and Featherstone Rovers at the Shay Stadium, Halifax, UK on 6 August 2023.
The 1895 Cup has been hit with a major reshape with the tournament to feature groups of three and be played during the early months of 2024, with the draw having now been made for the new format.
The new format will see 13 of the Championship clubs, excluding Toulouse, and eight League One clubs, excluding Cornwall, in seven groups of three with each group winner and the best performing second-place team going into a quarter-final draw.
From there the tournament will resemble a standard knockout system with quarters, semi-finals and then a final as well.
The groups have been regionalised, ensuring that teams have hopefully stronger crowds as they’ll be playing against more local teams.
Moreover it cuts down on the travel for the away teams, lessening the burden for the clubs, with a Cumbrian group being an example featuring Barrow Raiders, Workington Town and Whitehaven.
