Over
100 years old, the Challenge Cup is a tournament
filled with a lot of history, of triumph, epic
battles and Rugby League Heroes. Spanning back
to its humble origin in 1897 when Bately defeated
St Helens in front of a small crowd in Headingley,
Leeds, the event has grown to be not only one
of Rugby League's biggest events, but Britain's
as well.
No
other Rugby League event receives the same public
respect and recognition that the Challenge Cup
enjoys, especially after its 100th final celebration
last year. The Challenge Cup has only never been
played during World War I and 1940.
2003
marks the largest year ever for the event, which
now includes teams from France, Scotland, Wales,
Russia, Ireland and of course, England. The event
also for the first time ever has the chance for
ties to be played in the French nation. This truely
is Rugby League's ultimiate competition.
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