The draw for the 2024 President’s Cup Knockout Handicap Competition will take place at the Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Monday 15th January 2024.
Arthur Coles, grandson of the league’s Match Secretary, made the draw for the 2024 President’s Cup, on Wednesday 7th February.
13th March 2025: Frome v Swindon Dolphin.
Unfortunately Swindon just lost out to going through to the next round, as they lost away to newly-promoted Frome, losing 15-14, after they had been awarded a seven-goal start. Match sheet can be viewed on the results page.
9th April 2024: Swansea v City of Bristol Harlequins
Swansea unfortunately lost to City of Bristol Harlequins, 10 – 14. The home side had been awarded a four-goal start, but despite being level going into the final quarter, the visitors took control of the final period.
26th May 2024: Weston-super-Mare v City of Newport
Despite a six-goal start, Weston went down to City of Newport 13-20 at Hutton Moor. Chris Taylor of Newport scored a cracking eight goals for the visitors, and James Farror got five. Reece Trapani got four goals for the home side, and a warm welcome was given to the return of Liam Coles from a shoulder injury, which he bagged himself two goals.
City of Bristol Harlequins v City of Newport. To be played by September 29th.
The semi-final was played at Hengrove Leisure Centre, between City of Bristol Harlequins and City of Newport. The handicap committee awarded Harlequins a generous 15-goal start, and it looked to be an uphill struggle without the star of the show, City of Newport’s Chris Taylor, who scored a massive 12 goals and helped his side to victory, 21-25.
At the halfway stage, Harlequins looked comfortable, leading 17-12, and at the end of the third period, still led, but Newport was chasing. 19-17.
Soon after the start of the final period, the visitors drew level, and both goals came from Taylor. Harlequins did retake the lead with a Yannis Stavrakakis goal, but the lead was short-lived as Newport dominated the final period.
Final: Frome v City of Newport. To be played on November 17th
The 2024 President’s Cup final, between Frome and the City of Newport, was played at Marlborough College on Sunday, November 17th. The handicap for the game was set at 0-0.
It was a closely fought match, with Newport being the stronger of the two teams in the opening quarter, which ended 4-1 in favour of Newport.
Frome fought back strongly, and at the halfway stage, the scores were 7-6 to Newport. Soon after the start of the third period, it was level at 7-all, and at the end of it, only one goal separated the two sides, with Newport having the edge at 11-10.
Newport looked the more robust finishes; although Frome had drawn level at 11-apiece, the Welsh side scored three goals without reply to set up the finale with a 14-11 lead, but the Somerset lads fought back vigorously to 14-13 but could not find the equaliser which would have taken the final to penalties.
Mike Coles, the league’s match secretary, presented the medals to both teams, and James Farror picked up the Phil Whiting trophy for the competition.