competitions

Return to Contents TOP Return to Competitions head Return to Site Index
	Sussex Rugby Football Union	UPDATED 04/04/2008
1883	*Rugby for all - in all of Sussex*	R. F.U.

SUSSEX RUGBY KNOCK-OUT COMPETITIONS

NEW FOR 2007-8
At the Sussex RFU AGM on 19th June, a proposal to add a further layer to the top of the Sussex Knock-out competitions was adopted. The new level, to be known as the 'Challenge Cup' will be played for between the top two Sussex sides in the RFU Leagues, and the finalists of the Sussex Trophy. The winners of the Challenge Cup, to be presented by Bob Rogers to mark his year as RFU President, will be 'Champion Team'
and receive entry into the RFU National Knock-out.
For 2007-8, the 'selected sides' will be Worthing RFC and Haywards Heath RFC

Click on the links below for the draw for the first rounds of the
Sussex Knockouts, Plate, Shield and Trophy for 2007/8

Sussex Challenge Draw	Rules of the Sussex Knockouts
Sussex Trophy Draw	Fixture congestion and Sussex K.O.s
Sussex Shield Draw	Meet the Knockout Organiser
Sussex Plate Draw	Meet the Knockout Organiser

BOGNOR LIFT THE SUSSEX TROPHY FOR THE FIRST TIME

Photo;Debs Parry parryd@waringsgroup.com

On a wet,windy cold, miserable day in March, Bognor RFC won the Sussex Trophy
for the
first time, beating Eastbourne in a close contest.

HEATHFIELD & WALDRON DO IT AGAIN !

Heathfield RFC became the first Club to retain the Sussex Shield, by defeating Pulborough RFC in an excellent game
at St. Francis,
on 23rd February 2008

Norfolk Arms RFC - the 2007 Sussex Plate Winners

Peter Sealey - Sussex RFU President presents the Sussex Plate 2008
to Matthew Willcox, Captain of Norfolk Arms RFC after their thrilling victory over Barns Green RFC in a very close match at Seaford

Winners and runners-up in all Sussex Knockout competitions will receive Kit vouchers from Sussex RFU

If you or your organisation would like to sponsor any of our activities
- contact our Sponsorship officer john Thompson - email - tommojollygood@hotmail.com

THE SUSSEX TROPHY -
The magnificent silver rugby ball mounted on a silver map of Sussex, was presented by Vice Presidents of Lewes RFC in 1969, and the first winners, in 1970 were Brighton FC (RFU). During the 70's and 80's, Lewes dominated the Competition and have appeared in 20 finals, winning 12. Their reign was ended by Haywards Heath who won six times running from 1995 and again in 2003. Worthing, won in 2002, again in 2004 and retained it in 2005/ 2006/2007 Over 38 years, only 9 different Clubs have won the Trophy. Lewes have 12 wins, Worthing have 11, Haywards Heath 7, and Crawley, Horsham and Crowborough have won twice, whilst Brighton East Grinstead and Bognor have one win each.

PAST WINNERS OF THE SUSSEX TROPHY - HOLDERS - WORTHING RFC
1970/1 Brighton	1980/1 Lewes	1990/91 Lewes	2000/01 Haywards Heath
1971/2 Lewes	1981/2 East Grinstead	1991/92 Horsham	2002 Worthing
1972/3 Crowborough	1982/3 Worthing	1992/3 Worthing	2003 Haywards Heath
1973/4 Lewes	1983/4 Crawley	1993/4 Horsham	2004 Worthing
1974/5 Lewes	1984/5 Lewes	1994/5 Lewes	2005 Worthing
1975/6 Crowborough	1985/6 Worthing	1995/6 Haywards Heath	2006 Worthing
1976/7 Lewes	1986/7 Lewes	1996/7 Haywards Heath	2007 Worthing
1977/8 Lewes	1987/8 Worthing	1997/8 Haywards Heath	2008 Bognor
1978/9 Lewes	1988/9 Worthing	1998/9 Haywards Heath
1979/80 Crawley	1989/90 Lewes	1999/00 Haywards Heath

The Sussex Plate
was presented by Crawley RFC, and this Competition has resulted in some entertaining and skilful games with some of the County's smallest Clubs.

The Sussex Shield
was presented in 2001 by St. Francis RFC as a tribute to Jack Wright,
their long-serving former President, who was also President of Sussex RFU.
It is competed for by the middle range of Clubs, in the Intermediate Competition

The Sussex Knock-out Competition
is in four parts

The Sussex Plate Competition for small Clubs,
Holders 2008 - NORFOLK ARMS RFC
The Sussex Shield Competition for intermediate Clubs,
Holders 2008 - HEATHFIELD AND WALDRON RFC
The Sussex Trophy Competition for Clubs above level 9
Holders 2008 - BOGNOR RFC
The Sussex Challenge Cup for the Trophy finalists and the two strongest Clubs

For details of the Sussex RFU Womens' Knockout competition Click here

MEET THE COMPETITION ORGANISER

The Sussex Knock-out Competitions
are organised for Sussex RFU Competitions Committee by
Bob Dray, 6, Steyning Avenue, Peacehaven BN10 8LT.
Tel. (H) 01273 586406,
e-mail - bob.angiedray@tiscali.co.uk.

Your co-operation in sending in results and keeping
Bob in touch with any problems at an early stage, will ensure that everybody enjoys these Competions.
The rules for this competition are to be found in the County Handbook and
on the 'Selected Regulations' page of this Website.

FIXTURE CONGESTION AND THE SUSSEX KNOCK-OUTS
Clubs are reminded that the only valid excuse for not playing a tie is an unplayable pitch, or where a League fixture takes precedence. Ties may be played before the due date subject to written agreement between the Clubs and with the Organiser's consent.
THE SUSSEX PLATE COMPETITION
Non-League Clubs playing regularly, plus Clubs finishing at the bottom of the Leagues, to make up a total of eight.
THE DRAW FOR THE SUSSEX PLATE
First Round played on 8th September
Ditchling 5 - 26 Barns Green	Cinque Ports 17 - 41 Robertsbridge
Littlehampton 17 - 22 Newick	Sussex Police 15 - 32 Norfolk Arms
Semi-Finals to be played on 8 th December
Norfolk Arms 41 v Robertsbridge 0	Newick 0 v 16 Barns Green
Final
Winner: Norfolk Arms RFC
THE SUSSEX SHIELD COMPETITION
All League Clubs not eligible for the Plate or Trophy Competitions.
THE DRAW FOR THE SUSSEX SHIELD
First round
East Grinstead 29 - 20 Seaford	Holbrook 8 - 34 Pulborough
Rye 0 - 42 Burgess Hill	Brighton 29 - 6 Shoreham
Midhurst w/o v Crawley	St. Francis beat University Sussex
Heathfield & Waldron 13 - 0 Uckfield	Plumpton 10 - 28 Hellingly
Quarter Finals
St. Francis 3 - 27 Pulborough	Brighton w.o. v Hellingly
Crawley 47 - 8 Burgess Hill	Heathfield 20 v 0 East Grinstead
Semi - Finals
Heathfield & Waldron beat Crawley	Brighton 5 v 19 Pulborough
Final
Winner : Heathfield & Waldron RFC
THE SUSSEX TROPHY
The Clubs finishing highest in the RFU Leagues, less the two strongest.

THE DRAW FOR THE SUSSEX TROPHY

First round to be played on 8 September

Eastbourne 46 v 0 Lewes	Horsham v Chichester (Away w/o)
Hove 69 - 0 Hastings & Bexhill	Crowborough 22 - 24 Bognor
Semi-Finals to be played on 12th January
Eastbourne 24 v 9 Chichester	Hove 15 v 28 Bognor
Final
Winner: Bognor RFC
THE SUSSEX CHALLENGE CUP
The two strongest Clubs play the Sussex Trophy finalists and the winners of these games play off for the title of Champion Team, and entry to the RFU National Trophy.
THE DRAW FOR THE CHALLENGE CUP
The two strongest League Clubs in the previous season, plus the Trophy finalists
Semi-Final to be played on 23rd February
Worthing (w/o)	Haywards Heath (w/o)
Final to be played on Sunday 6th April at Lewes RFC

Sussex RFU does not accept any liability caused by errors on this Website - always check before you travel
Return to top Back to Contents Return to Competitions head Go to Site Index