GRASSROOTS Rugby League in the south of England will again climax in a double-header finals special on Saturday, September 6 following the resurrection of the Harry Jepson Trophy.
Contested by the champions of southern-based Regional Leagues other than the Southern Conference League, it floundered last year.
But hopes are high that a competition launched in 1997 by the former Hunslet and Leeds secretary, who went on to become president of the Rugby Football League, is returning to rude health.
The two sides who make it through to the decider will provide a curtain-raiser to the Southern Conference League Grand Final.
Eight teams will contest this season’s SCL, headed by reigning champions Hammersmith Hills Hoists and last year’s runners-up West Warriors.
The other six sides – Bedford Tigers, Brentwood Eels, Bristol All Golds, Eastern Rhinos, London Chargers and North Herts Crusaders – will all be aiming to break a stranglehold established by the Hoists and the Warriors.
The Southern Conference League campaign opens on Saturday, April 12, when Hammersmith host the Chargers and Wests entertain Eastern Rhinos (the SCL Plate holders) who they beat 66-4 in Colchester in the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
