16 Sep 2014
Harry Jepson Trophy Final
South West London Chargers will bid to become the first back to back winners of the Harry Jepson Trophy when they face the Jarrow Vikings on Saturday.
No side yet has successfully defended a title in the Trophy’s 17-year history and Jarrow Vikings will be doing all they can to take the title to the North East, where it has not resided since 2001’s victory by Teeside Steelers.
The game, which will be played at the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park with a 2.00pm kick-off, is now a “Champion of Champions” competition for Rugby League sides competing in the regional leagues outside of Yorkshire, the North West and Cumbria.
Originally, the trophy was presented to the winner of the national stages of the Rugby League Conference which ran from 1997 to 2011.
The 2014 saw 10 sides being entered into the competition. A preliminary round saw Scotland’s Aberdeen face Jarrow, whilst Gloucestershire Warriors (West of England) were paired with Bridgend Blue Bulls (Wales). Unfortunately travel distances prevented the games from taking place and Jarrow and Bridgend advanced to Round 1.
Round 1 saw Jarrow take on Northampton Demons (East Midlands) on neutral ground at East Leeds.
The speed of the Jarrow play was too much for the Demons heavy pack and the Vikings advanced courtesy of a 12-38 win.
Telford Raiders (West Midlands) were unable to capitalise on a trip to their neighbouring county of Herefordshire to meet Bridgend, with the Welshmen recording a 14-36 victory.
Cornish Rebels (South West) were given a thorough test by Medway Dragons (South East) at Bristol, with the Kent side coming out on top 62-24, but the success of the Rebels in their debut year has not failed to turn heads.
The final game of the round saw Chargers run up a big 66-4 lead over Bedford Tigers (East of England) before an unfortunate injury called time on the game at Hemel.
The Semi Final pairings saw Chargers travel to Medway Dragons, where a young but determined Dragons side went down 6-36, although the home side should be congratulated on the number of players in the side who have come through their junior ranks.
The second semi-final saw Bridgend meet Jarrow in Sheffield, where Bridgend ran out of steam against a ruthless Jarrow side, inspired by half-back Andy Gray’s kicking game, the game ending 72-14 in their favour.
With both sides being dominant throughout their campaigns, the Harry Jepson Final will be a stern test of teams who have never previously met and is sure to serve up a superb final to crown the 2014 season.
Presentations will be made by Harry Jepson OBE, after whom the trophy is named, with the 94-year-old prioritising the game over his beloved Leeds Rhinos’ (where he is Club President) Super League fixture.
HARRY JEPSON TROPHY FINAL 2014
Jarrow Vikings v South West London Chargers
Saturday September 20
Kick-off 2.00pm
Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Bawtry Road, Sheffield, S9 1UA
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2013 South West London Chargers
2012 London Skolars A
2011 Parkside Hawks
2010 St Albans Centurions
2009 West London Sharks
2008 Nottingham Outlaws
2007 St Albans Centurions
2006 South London Storm
2005 Bridgend Blue Bulls
2004 Widnes Saints
2003 Bridgend Blue Bulls
2002 Coventry Bears
2001 Teesside Steelers
2000 Crawley Jets
1999 Chester Wolves
1998 Crawley Jets
1997 North London Skolars