1931–32 Lancashire Cup


The 1931–32 Lancashire Cup was the twenty-fourth occasion on which the Lancashire Cup competition had been held. Once again a new name was to be added to the trophy this year as it was the turn of Salford, who won the trophy for the first time by beating neighbours and close rivals Swinton in the final by 10–8.

Background

At the time of the great schism in 1895, Salford had initially remained loyal to the Rugby Football Union but in April 1896 the board met and only three members opposed the motion to switch to the new code. The change of heart was partly brought about by the sudden lack of "interesting" or derby fixtures for the club.

Competition and results

The number of teams entering this year's competition remained at 13 but from this season the fixture format was changed. There was only one bye in the first round but now also a "blank" or "dummy" fixture. This also resulted in one bye in the second round.

Round 1

Involved 6 matches and 13 clubs
Game NoFixture dateHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttRecNotesRef
-
1Sat 10 Oct 1931Broughton Rangers8–13WiganThe Cliff
2Sat 10 Oct 1931Oldham13–13BarrowWatersheddings
3Sat 10 Oct 1931Wigan Highfield7–7LeighTunstall Lane
4Sat 10 Oct 1931Salford16–5St. HelensThe Willows
5Sat 10 Oct 1931Warrington11–2St Helens RecsWilderspool
6Sat 10 Oct 1931Widnes10–3Rochdale HornetsLowerhouse Lane
7Swintonbye
8blankblank

Round 1 – replays

Involved 2 matches
Game NoFixture dateHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttRecNotesRef
-
1Wed 14 Oct 1931Leigh11–7Wigan HighfieldMather Lane
2Thu 15 Oct 1931Barrow27–9OldhamCraven Park1

Round 2 – quarterfinals

Involved 3 matches and 7 clubs
Game NoFixture dateHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttRecNotesRef
--
1Wed 21 Oct 1931Leigh7–37SwintonMather Lane
2Wed 21 Oct 1931Warrington7–17SalfordWilderspool
3Thu 22 Oct 1931Widnes7–6WiganLowerhouse Lane
4Barrowbye

Round 3 – semifinals

Involved 2 matches and 4 clubs

Final

The final was played at the Cliff, Broughton, Salford, and on the banks of the River Irwell. The attendance was 26,471 and receipts £1,030. The attendance was a new record beating the 25,656 of 1924.
Game NoFixture dateHome teamScoreAway teamVenueAttRecNotesRef
--
Saturday 21 November 1931Salford10–8SwintonThe Cliff26,471£1,6542 3

Teams and scorers

SalfordSwinton
teams
Gus Risman1Bob Scott
Fergie Southward2Frank Buckingham
Emlyn Jenkins3George Whittaker
Sammy Miller4Johnny Jones
Barney Hudson5Jack Kenny
Reg Meek6Hughie Salmon
Billy Watkins7Bryn Evans
Billy Williams8Miller Strong
Fred Shaw9Tommy Armitt
Joe Bradbury10Joe Wright
Alf Middleton11Martin Hodgson
Teddy Haines12Fred Beswick
Jack Feetham13Fred Butters
10score8
3HT3
Scorers
Tries
Emlyn Jenkins TJohnny Jones
THughie Salmon
Goals
Fergie Southward GMartin Hodgson
G
Drop Goals
DG
RefereeFrank Peel

Scoring – Try = three points – Goal = two points – Drop goal = two points