The 1914–15 Lancashire Cup was the tenth year of this regional rugby league competition and the last until 1918–19 as the competition was suspended for the duration of the First World War. The cup was won by Rochdale Hornets who beat last year's losing finalists Wigan in the final at The Willows, Salford by a score of 3-2. The attendance at the final was 4,000 and receipts £475.
Background The First World War had already broken out before the start of the 1914–15 season commenced. Despite the war the decision to play both the regular season and the cup competitions was taken and all were played to a conclusion, although the lack of enthusiasm was evident in the lower attendances at matches and with many teams absent many players who had already enlisted in the Army and the Royal Navy.
The number of teams entering this year's competition was again 12 with four byes in the first round
Competition and results
Round 1 Involved 4 matches (with four byes) and 12 clubs
Game NoFixture dateHome team Score Away teamVenueAttRecNotesRef 1Sat 17 October 1914Broughton Rangers5-8Rochdale HornetsThe Cliff2Sat 17 October 1914Swinton13-11St. HelensChorley Road ground3Sat 17 October 1914Warrington10-0BarrowWilderspool4Sat 17 October 1914Wigan21-5OldhamCentral Park5 Leighbye6 Widnesbye7 Runcornbye8 Salfordbye
Round 2 – quarterfinals Game NoFixture dateHome team Score Away teamVenueAttRecNotesRef 1Sat 31 October 1914Leigh0-6WiganMather Lane2Sat 31 October 1914Rochdale Hornets0-0WidnesAthletic Grounds3Sat 31 October 1914Swinton36-0RuncornChorley Road ground4Sat 31 October 1914Warrington22-10SalfordWilderspoolReplay1Wed 4 November 1914Widnes0-12Rochdale HornetsLowerhouse Lane
Round 3 – semifinals Game NoFixture dateHome team Score Away teamVenueAttRecNotesRef 1Sat 14 November 1914Warrington5-13Rochdale HornetsWilderspool
Final Game NoFixture dateHome team Score Away teamVenueAttRecNotesRef Saturday 5 December 1914Rochdale Hornets3-2WiganThe Willows4000£4751
Teams and scorers Rochdale HornetsNo.Wigan teamsM. English1Billy SeddonJack Hopwood2Lew BradleyJack Corsi3George Prudence4Dai EvansJ. Fairhurst5Billy CurranBobbie Schofield6Frank WalfordErnest Jones7Johnny ThomasJack Fitzsimmonds8Charlie SeelingSammy Carter9Arthur FrancisBilly Ashworth10Percy ColdrickVic Slade11George HaywardG. D. Webb12Dick SilcockJoe Bowers13Dick Ramsdale 3score20HT2 Scorers Tries unknownTT Goals G Drop Goals DGReferee
Scoring - Try = three (3) points - Goal = two (2) points - Drop goal = two (2) points
The road to success
Notes 1 The Willows was the home ground of Salford
References