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Territorial Army Rugby History

History

The origins of Territorial Army (TA) rugby lay in the 1860’s Volunteer Movement, which involved the raising of Volunteer Rifle regiments committed to defending the country. These newly formed regiments encouraged the playing of sports to improve fitness and in 1908 were formed into Territorial Army units.

In 1931 the TA formed their first reprsentative team to take on their Regular counterparts. These contests continued until the out break of the Second World War (1939-45) and resumed after the war in 1949.

For the 50th anniversary match in 1981 the two sides met at Twickenham for a new BP Challenge Trophy, of which the Army became the first winners by 20 points to 11.

Territorial Army v Army Statistics

 

Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1931 Territorial Army 10 Army 9
1932 Army 19 Territorial Army 5
1933 Army 23 Territorial Army 11
1934 Army 12 Territorial Army 6
1935 Army 18 Territorial Army 3
1936 Territorial Army 0 Army 0
1937 Army 8 Territorial Army 6
1938 Territorial Army 17 Army 9
1939 Territorial Army 13 Army 3
Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1940-1948 No games played due to Second World War
1949 Army 20 Territorial Army 3
Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1950 No match
1951 Army 20 Territorial Army 5
1952 Army 15 Territorial Army 5
1953 Army 13 Territorial Army 6
1954 Army 23 Territorial Army 8
1955 Army 6 Territorial Army 0
1956 Army 13 Territorial Army 8
1957 Army 8 Territorial Army 3
1958 Army 11 Territorial Army 8
1959 Territorial Army 8 Army 6
Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1960 Army 22 Territorial Army 8
1961 Army 24 Territorial Army 9
1962 Army 21 Territorial Army 6
1963 Territorial Army 11 Army 8
1964 Territorial Army 13 Army 12
1965 Army 15 Territorial Army 0
1966 Territorial Army 6 Army 3
1967 Army 19 T & AVR 3
1968 Army 11 T & AVR 9
1969 Cancelled
Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1970 Army 37 T & AVR 9
1971 Army 79 T & AVR 3
1972 Army 11 T & AVR 4
1973 Army 17 T & AVR 11
1974 Army 37 T & AVR 6
1975 Army 26 T & AVR 6
1976 Cancelled
1977 Army 18 T & AVR 10
1978 Army 36 T & AVR 10
1979 Territorial Army 12 Army 0
Year Winners Points Runners up Points
1980 Territorial Army 10 Army 7
1981 Army 20 Territorial Army 11
1982 Army 13 Territorial Army 3
1983 Army 40 Territorial Army 0
1984 Army 35 Territorial Army 0
1985 Cancelled
1986
1987
1988
1989

 

Source
McLaren Lt Col J: The History of Army Rugby (Aldershot, The Army RFU, 1986)

YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1931Territorial Army10Army9
1932Army19Territorial Army5
1933Army23Territorial Army11
1934Army12Territorial Army6
1935Army18Territorial Army3
1936Territorial Army0Army0
1937Army8Territorial Army6
1938Territorial Army17Army9
1939Territorial Army13Army3
YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1940-1948 No games played due to Second World War
1949Army20Territorial Army3
YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1950No match
1951Army20Territorial Army5
1952Army15Territorial Army5
1953Army13Territorial Army6
1954Army23Territorial Army8
1955Army6Territorial Army0
1956Army13Territorial Army8
1957Army8Territorial Army3
1958Army11Territorial Army8
1959Territorial Army8Army6
YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1960Army22Territorial Army8
1961Army24Territorial Army9
1962Army21Territorial Army6
1963Territorial Army11Army8
1964Territorial Army13Army12
1965Army15Territorial Army0
1966Territorial Army6Army3
1967Army19T & AVR3
1968Army11T & AVR9
1969Cancelled
YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1970Army37T & AVR9
1971Army79T & AVR3
1972Army11T & AVR4
1973Army17T & AVR11
1974Army37T & AVR6
1975Army26T & AVR6
1976Cancelled
1977Army18T & AVR10
1978Army36T & AVR10
1979Territorial Army12Army0
YearWinnersPointsRunners upPoints
1980Territorial Army10Army7
1981Army20Territorial Army11
1982Army13Territorial Army3
1983Army40Territorial Army0
1984Army35Territorial Army0
1985Cancelled
1986
1987
1988
1989
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