Devon Senior Cup
SportRugby Union
Instituted1886; 138 years ago (1886)
Number of teams8 (Cup)
4 (Shield)
Country England
HoldersExeter University (five titles) (2021-22)
Most titlesExeter (16 titles)
WebsiteDevon RFU

The Devon Senior Cup is an annual rugby union league and cup club competition organized by the Devon Rugby Football Union. It was first introduced in the 1886-87 season and the inaugural competition was won by Tiverton.[1] During the early years of the cup the format changed several times from a knock-out competition to a league format, then to hybrid league/cup, then back to being a knock-out cup once again. The competition also was had periods of inactivity, with World War I preventing play for a number of seasons and then the cup being cancelled in the 1930s before being reintroduced for the 1969-70 season when it was won by St. Luke's College (now University of Exeter). The Havill Plate was introduced in the 1970s for teams knocked out of the first round of the cup which would continue until 1999. Competitions similar to the Havill Plate were introduced in 2009 for teams that got knocked out of the earlier stages of the cup were introduced - plate (semi finals) and vase (quarter finals) - but these were discontinued due to a lack of interest by the clubs involved.[2]

The Devon Senior Cup is currently the premier county cup competition for club sides based in Devon that play in tier 5 (South West One) of the English rugby union league system. For 2022-23 the format was two conference divisions of four teams playing three games to determine the top two in each pool, who go through to the semi-finals. The bottom two teams in the pools go through to the Devon Senior Shield, where two semi-finals are played to determine the finalists.

Devon Senior Cup winners

Devon Senior Cup Finals
Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue
1885-86 Tiverton 2-0 Exeter (Unofficial)
1886-87 Tiverton Torquay Athletic RFC Plainmoor (Unofficial)
1887-88[1][3] Tiverton 3-0 Newton Abbot County Ground, Exeter
1888-89[4] Devonport Albion 11-0 Exeter County Ground, Exeter
1889-90[5] Exeter 10-6 Torquay Athletic County Ground, Exeter
1890-91[6] Devonport Albion N/A[a 1] RNEC
1891-92 Devonport Albion
1892-93 Devonport Albion
1893-94 Barnstaple
1894-95 Devonport Albion 6-2 Torquay Athletic
1895-96 Sidmouth
1896-97[7] Sidmouth 3-0 Totnes County Ground, Exeter
1897-98 Crediton 5-3 Torquay Athletic South Devon Cricket Ground, Marsh Road, Newton Abbot
1898-1903 No competition
1904-05[8] Plymouth 3-0 Exeter Rectory Field, Plymouth
1905-06 Plymouth 12-4 Paignton County Ground
1906-07 Torquay Athletic 5-0 [a 2] Devonport Albion South Devon Cricket Ground, Marsh Road, Newton Abbot
1907-08 Devonport Albion 5-0 Plymouth Home Park
1908-09[9] Devonport Albion 3-0 Newton Abbot Recreation Ground, Torquay
1909-10 Plymouth 6-3 Devonport Albion Home Park
1910-11 Plymouth 10-0 Newton Abbot Recreation Ground, Torquay
1911-12 Devonport Albion 27-0 [a 3] Torquay Athletic
1912-13 Devonport Albion 5-3 [a 4] Exmouth Devonport
1913-14 Devonport Albion 15-3 Exmouth County Ground
1914-20 No competition due to World War I
1920-21 Plymouth Albion 11-3 Newton Abbot Recreation Ground, Torquay
1921-22[10] Brixham 3-0 Torquay Athletic South Devon Cricket Ground, Marsh Road, Newton Abbot
1922-23 Newton Abbot 7-0 Torquay Athletic South Devon Cricket Ground, Marsh Road, Newton Abbot
1923-24 Newton Abbot 7-4[a 5] Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground, Torquay
1924-25[11] Exmouth 10-0 Newton Abbot South Devon Cricket Ground, Marsh Road, Newton Abbot
1925-26[10] Barnstaple 11-3[a 6] Brixham County Ground, Exeter
1926-27 Newton Abbot 17-0 Exmouth County Ground, Exeter
1927-28 Barnstaple 6-3 Brixham County Ground, Exeter
1928-29[10] Teignmouth 6-3 Brixham Recreation Ground, Torquay
1929-30[7] Sidmouth 3-0 Brixham Recreation Ground, Torquay
1930-31[7] Paignton 6-0 Sidmouth
1931-32[12] Brixham 9-0 Paignton Recreation Ground, Torquay
1932-68 No competition
1968-69[13] St. Luke's College Plymouth Albion Recreation Ground, Torquay
1969-70[14] St. Luke's College 12-9 Barnstaple
1970-71 Exeter
1971-72 Exeter Torquay Athletic
1972-73 Exeter
1973-74 Plymouth Albion 16-6 St. Luke's College Rectory Field, Plymouth
1974-75[15] St. Luke's College 25-10 Barnstaple County Ground, Exeter
1975-76 Exeter 18-12 Torquay Athletic
1976-77 Plymouth Albion 10-0 Exeter Beacon Park, Plymouth
1977-78[7] Exeter 28-13 Sidmouth County Ground, Exeter
1978-79 Torquay Athletic 15-8 Brixham Recreation Ground, Torquay
1979-80 Exeter
1980-81[16] Exeter University Exeter
1981-82 Exeter 9-4 Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground, Torquay
1982-83 Plymouth Albion 30-13 Devon & Cornwall Police Beacon Park, Plymouth
1983-84 Plymouth Albion 22-7 Devon & Cornwall Police Beacon Park, Plymouth
1984-85 Plymouth Albion 12-4 Exeter University County Ground, Exeter
1985-86 Plymouth Albion 15-6 Exeter County Ground, Exeter
1986-87 Plymouth Albion 47-12 Devonport Services Beacon Park, Plymouth
1987-88[17] Plymouth Albion 32-6 Okehampton Showfield, Okehampton
1988-89 Exeter 17-9 Barnstaple Pottington Road, Barnstaple
1989-90 Exeter 26-10 Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground, Torquay
1990-91 Exeter 18-12 Plymouth Albion Beacon Park, Plymouth
1991-92 Exeter 30-10 Brixham County Ground, Exeter
1992-93 Exeter 35-21 Brixham County Ground, Exeter
1993-94 Exeter 22-12 Plymouth Albion Beacon Park, Plymouth
1994-95 Exeter 22-3 Brixham Astley Park, Brixham
1995-96 Exeter 32-6 Barnstaple Pottington Road, Barnstaple
1996-97[17] Barnstaple 31-18 Okehampton Showfield, Okehampton
1997-98[18] Tiverton 23-14 Torquay Athletic Recreation Ground, Torquay
1998-99 Barnstaple 20-14 Exeter Pottington Road, Barnstaple
1999-00 Barnstaple 9-3 Exeter Pottington Road, Barnstaple
2000-01 Barnstaple 30-18 Brixham Pottington Road, Barnstaple
2001-02 Barnstaple 30-18 Brixham Pottington Road, Barnstaple
2002-03[19] Exmouth Barnstaple Pottington Road, Barnstaple
2003-04[20] Newton Abbot 33-31 Brixham Astley Park, Brixham
2004-05[21] Barnstaple 21-0 Cullompton Stafford Park, Cullompton
2005-06 Exmouth 22-13 Torquay Athletic Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2006-07 Torquay Athletic 6-16 Paignton Queen's Park, Paignton
2007-08[22] Barnstaple 23-19 Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2008-09[23] Barnstaple 21-0 Cullompton Stafford Park, Cullompton
2009-10[24] Barnstaple 28-25 Brixham Astley Park
2010-11[25] Exmouth 20-15 Newton Abbot Rackerhayes, Kingsteignton
2011-12[26] Exmouth 28-15 Brixham Astley Park, Brixham
2012-13[27] Exmouth 39-3 Barnstaple Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2013-14[28] Exmouth 31-12 Newton Abbot Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2014-15[29] Brixham 39-31 Newton Abbot Rackerhayes, Kingsteignton
2015-16[30] Exmouth 31-25 Brixham Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2016-17[31] Brixham 35-20 Okehampton Astley Park, Brixham
2017-18[32] Ivybridge 38-31 Exmouth Cross-in-Hand, Ivybridge
2018-19[33] Barnstaple 61-22 Exmouth Pottington Road, Barnstaple
2021-22 Exeter University 54-32 Exmouth Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth
2022-23 Devonport Services Brixham Rectory Field, Plymouth

[34][35]

Devon Senior Plate winners

Devon Senior Plate Finals
Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue
2009-10[36] Paignton 28-3 Cullompton Stafford Park, Cullompton
2010-11[34][37] Barnstaple 50-12 Brixham Pottington Road, Barnstaple

[34]

Devon Senior Shield winners

Devon Senior Plate Finals
Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue
2018-19[38] Okehampton 24–20 Devonport Services Showground, Okehampton

[34]

Devon Senior Vase winners

Devon Senior Vase Finals
Season Winner Score Runners–up Venue
2009-10[39] Tiverton 20-15 Kingsbridge Coronation Field, Tiverton
2010-11[40] Cullompton N/A[a 7] Paignton Stafford Park, Cullompton

[34]

Number of wins

Notes

  1. ^ The 1890-91 season saw the competition renamed the Devon League Cup and would take place in the form of a league for the next five seasons.
  2. ^ 1907 final was replayed after the first game finished 0-0.
  3. ^ 1912 final was replayed after first game at Recreation Ground, Torquay finished 0-0.
  4. ^ 1913 final was replayed after first game finished 3-3.
  5. ^ extra time played after game finished 4-4 after 80 minutes.
  6. ^ 1926 final was replayed after the first game finished 3-3.
  7. ^ Final was awarded to Cullompton as Paignton were unable to raise a side.[34]
  8. ^ If you include the Devon Cup titles won by Plymouth Albion's parent clubs - Devonport Albion and Plymouth RFC - that merged to create the modern club in the 1920s then they have actually won 23 titles which would make them the most prolific team in the competition's history.
  9. ^ Exeter University's figure includes Devon Cups won by St. Luke's College before it was amalgamated into Exeter University in 1978.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "History - Tiverton Rugby Club". Tiverton Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Finalists have no enthusiasm for the Devon Senior Plate". This is Cornwall. 22 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "16th Season 1887-8" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  4. ^ "17th Season 1888-9" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  5. ^ "18th Season 1889-90" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  6. ^ "19th Season 1890-91" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d "History Sidmouth RFC". Sidmouth RFC. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. ^ "33rd Season 1904-95" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  9. ^ "37th Season 1908-09" (PDF). Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Brixham Rugby Introduction". Brixham RFC. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Exmouth RFC Club History". Exmouth RFC. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  12. ^ "1900-1939". BRFC Supporters. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  13. ^ "DEVON CUP FINAL RUGBY PROGRAMME 1969". ebay. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Steve is still going strong after 50-year association with The Mariners!". Pembrokeshire Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Reunion for Barnstaple's 1975 Devon Cup rugby team". North Devon Journal. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  16. ^ "Exeter v. Gloucester - Gloucester Rugby Heritage" (PDF). Gloucester Rugby Heritage. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  17. ^ a b "History Okehampton RFC". Oke Rugby. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  18. ^ Wevill, Richard (23 April 2013). "Rugby club reflecting on two glorious moments". Mid Devon Gazette. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  19. ^ "Cockles are in a mood to retain grip on cup". Western Morning New. 6 April 2012.
  20. ^ "Brixham win semi-final to set up Devon Cup final showdown". Brixham RFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  21. ^ "'Professional' Barum deserve cup triumph". North Devon Journal. 26 April 2005.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ "Exmouth pipped at the post". Exmouth Journal. 10 April 2008.
  23. ^ "Barum win the Devon Senior Cup". North Devon Journal. 25 April 2009.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Full-strength Teigns have Force for final". Western Morning News. 11 May 2010.
  25. ^ "Second-half display wins Devon Cup for Exmouth". Western Morning News. 25 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ "Exmouth claim second successive County Cup win". Exmouth Journal. 1 May 2012.
  27. ^ "Early end to Barnstaple's Devon Senior Cup final challenge at Exmouth". North Devon Journal. 6 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
  28. ^ "RUGBY DEVON CUP FINAL: Exmouth hold on tight to cup as Newton Abbot fade away". Torquay Herald Express. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  29. ^ "RUGBY: Brixham beat Newton Abbot to win Devon Senior Cup for the first in 83 years". Torquay Herald Express. 14 March 2015. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  30. ^ "RUGBY: Brixham get into good position but lose Devon Senior Cup to Exmouth at Imperial Ground". Torquay Herald Express. 1 May 2016.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ "Brixham claim Devon Senior Cup with hard-earned win over Okehampton". Devon RFU. 29 April 2017.
  32. ^ "DEVON SENIOR CUP WINNERS". Ivybridge RFC (Pitchero). 13 May 2018.
  33. ^ "Exmouth lose Easter Saturday Devon Cup final at Barnstaple". Exmouth Journal. 20 April 2019.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h "DRFU Handbook 2011-12" (PDF). Devon RFU. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  35. ^ "Devon Senior Cup winners". Devon RFU. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  36. ^ "Cully beaten by Paignton". Western Morning News. 3 May 2010.[permanent dead link]
  37. ^ "Senior Plate date fails to inspire Brixham or Barum". This is Devon. 22 April 2011.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ "GALLERY: Devonport Services so close to cup final upset against Okehampton". Plymouth Gazette. 22 April 2019.
  39. ^ "Okehampton dig in to edge out determined Crediton and claim inaugural cup victory". This is Cornwall. 3 May 2010.[permanent dead link]
  40. ^ "Cullompton win the cup and never win a game!". Cullompton RFC (Pitchero). Retrieved 1 February 2017.

External links

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