CHELTENHAM AWAITS
Almost 40 teams will descend on beautiful Regency Cheltenham this Friday April 24 and Saturday April 25 for the second Cheltenham Rugby Festival. “Such has been the increase in entrants that we have had to move the event to a bigger arena at Newlands Park – a stunning setting” explains Peter Chadwick, Festival Administrator.
The draw for both of the senior trophies, the Golden Fern Cup (women) and the All Golds Cup (men) was made by Keith Hursthouse, Sports Editor of the Gloucestershire Echo at his office on Thursday afternoon, April 16th.
First up is the 1908 Cup on Friday April 24 for Gloucestershire schools which will see an additional age group added this year. Archway School of Stroud – current holders of the year 8 trophy – and St Peter’s School of Gloucester – former Daily Mail RU Cup winners – are the favourites. The games kick off at noon. Martin Horwood MP and Martin Roddy MBE will present the trophies to the winners of the Year 8 and Year 9 Cups.
Welsh rugby league international Mark Lennon and Matt Smith from the Celtic Crusaders will be on hand to dispense advice and support during the day as well as Crusaders goodies and vouchers for free entry to a Crusaders game in the engage Super League for each of the 350 kids taking part.
Saturday’s action will commence at 11.15 with the inaugural Golden Fern Cup for women. The trophies will be presented by Sue Wilson, Press and PR Officer and Vice Chair of Gloucestershire Federation of WIs and Pat Crawshaw Chair of the national women’s game.
The All Golds Cup for men will start at 3pm. The holders are the British Army. Presentations will be by the Mayor of Cheltenham Councillor Robin MacDonald and Air Vice Marshall Chris Davison Director of the Sports Board (RAF).
Trevor Moss, Event Manager, enthuses “Rugby League 9s is fast, tough and skilful and a must see for all sporting fans. Newlands Park is a stunning setting. Entrance and parking are free with plenty of refreshments for the family”.
The Cheltenham 9s is a sister event to the Carnegie Floodlit 9s and a major innovation this year is that the winners of the All Golds Cup will be rewarded with qualification for the Headingley Carnegie Stadium showdown on Wednesday August 26 and the opportunity to meet Huddersfield Giants – the current holders of the Carnegie Floodlit 9s.
The draws were :-
GOLDEN FERN CUP (ko 11.15am)
| Group 1 | Group 2 |
| Royal Navy | Coventry Bears |
| Royal Air force | British Army |
| Cheltenham Ladies | English Students |
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
| Royal Air Force | British Army | Royal Navy |
| Bristol Sonics | Gloucs Warriors | Birmingham Bulldogs |
| Swindon St George | Oxford Cavaliers | Southampton Spitfires |
| Bristol University | University of Gloucs | Lymm (Cheshire) Invitational IX |
BACKGROUND NOTES
ALL GOLDS CUP :-
Named in honour of the New Zealand All Golds team that defeated England 8 points to 5 in Cheltenham on February 15 1908 to win Rugby League’s first ever Test series.
On the 15th February 2008 the Rugby Football League in conjunction with the Cheltenham Civic Society unveiled a special plaque at the site of the Athletic Ground that hosted this great match of the Edwardian period.
William “Massa” Johnston Award :- Presented to the player of the tournament and named in honour of the great New Zealand forward who scored the winning try in the dying moments of the 1908 match.
GOLDEN FERN CUP :-
The Golden Fern is the official logo of the Cheltenham Rugby Festival.
The Empress Award :- Presented to the player of the tournament and named in commemoration of the ship which brought the All Golds to the shores of England to start their historic tour.
1908 CUP :-
Named in commemoration of the year of the famous Test match in Cheltenham. Played for by Gloucestershire schools at years 8 and 9.
Arthur Smith Award :- Presented to the player of the tournament in each age group and named in honour of the Gloucestershire Rugby Union player who signed for Oldham Rugby League club and who then represented England against the All Golds in 1908 at Cheltenham.
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Chris Wilson
Media Manager, Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC
Tel: +44 (0)1684 850903
Mobile: + 44 (0)7905 931033
Email: gloswarriors2004@aol.com
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The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
