The Royal Yorkshire Regiment

THE royal YORKSHIRE REGIMENT

Yorkshire Grit on the Pitch: Rotherham Titans Claim the Royal Yorkshire Regiment Trophy

The fierce spirit of Yorkshire rugby was on full display as the Leeds Tykes hosted the Rotherham Titans at AMT Headingley Stadium for their high-stakes “Christmas Showdown.”

While the Tykes secured a narrow 19–18 win on the day in a thrilling National 1 encounter, the real celebration belonged to the Rotherham Titans, who were officially awarded the Yorkshire Regiment Trophy.

A Historic Accolade

The Yorkshire Regiment Trophy is a prestigious prize supported by the Regiment and the Yorkshire RFU. Originally contested in the Championship days between Leeds, Rotherham, and Doncaster, the trophy is now awarded to the top-performing Yorkshire club based on results across the season’s local derbies.

Despite the one-point loss at Headingley, the Titans’ dominant form throughout the season – including a powerful 52–12 victory over the Tykes earlier in the year – ensured they finished at the top of the “derby league” standings to take home the silverware.

A Battle of Wills

The match itself mirrored the tenacity and discipline of our own soldiers. The Titans showed immense “Yorkshire grit,” particularly during a heroic first-half defensive display where they weathered wave after wave of pressure.

  • Standout Effort: The Titans led 18–12 deep into the second half thanks to tries from Luke Cole and Callum Bustin, alongside the reliable boot of Lloyd Hayes.

  • The Finish: A late surge from the Tykes snatched the match points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Titans from lifting the Regiment’s trophy as the kings of Yorkshire rugby this season.

Supporting Our Community

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment has a unique rugby heritage stretching back over a century, having won the Army Cup 14 times. We value this partnership because rugby embodies the core values we look for in our soldiers: courage, physical robustness, and an unbreakable team spirit.

Congratulations to the Rotherham Titans on their achievement. It is an honour to see the Regiment’s name associated with such a high standard of competition and sportsmanship.

Fortune Favours the Brave.