this year’s competition therefore decreased by three reducing the total number of entrants to twelve. This in turn resulted in four byes in the first round. Competition and results Round 1 Involved 4 matches (with four byes) and 12 clubs Round 2 - quarterfinals Involved 4 matches and 8 clubs Round 3 – semifinals Involved 2 matches and 4 clubs Semifinal - replays Involved 1 match and 2 clubs Final Teams and scorers Scoring - Try = three (3) points - Goal = two (2) points - Drop goal = two (2) points The road to success Notes 1 * Batley, Bramley and Keighley, (the three clubs who finishing as the bottom three in the Yorkshire League) did not appear to enter this year's competition See also 1939–40 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season Rugby league county cups References External links Saints Heritage Society 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season at wigan.rlfans.com Hull&Proud Fixtures & Results 1896/1897 Widnes Vikings - One team, one passion Season In Review - 1896-97 The Northern Union at warringtonwolves.org RFL Yorkshire Cup Yorkshire Cup