Saturday 29th February 1908 – Round 1 – Beverley 3 Merthyr Tydfil 15

Here is the report as written by the Merthyr Express at the time…

MERTHYR (Northern Union). The first barrier in the competition proper for the Northern Union Challenge Cup was successfully negotiated by Merthyr last Saturday, when they disposed of Beverley, after making the long journey North. The margin was sufficiently convincing of the superiority of the visitors, who put up a score of fifteen points to three.

The conditions were all against a scientific exposition, for a blinding snowstorm prevailed during the greater part of the match, and, although the Merthyr forwards, owning to the state of the ground, had the bigger share of the play, it was the back division that was primarily concerned in registering the points. The home team crossed with a try in the last moments.

In as much as Merthyr offered Beverley a guarantee of £60 to change the venue, they must be rather disappointed by this time, for the takings only realised a sum of £12. In the second round, to be determined on Saturday next, Merthyr have been fortunate in being drawn at home, on the College Field, with Whitehaven Recreation. The latter have the reputation of being the best club side in Cumberland, and by their victory over St. Helens to the tune of thirteen points to eight won their right to report progress. The tie promises to be an especially attractive one.