[1][a 1] During the 1880s the competition used the archaic rugby union points systems of games being scored by goals, which were seen as more important than tries back then.

It was only if both teams had not scored any goals, that tries would then be used to determine games, with the highest number winning.

The Senior Cup is currently open to club sides based in County Durham and occasionally, Tyne and Wear, who play between tier 3 (National League 1) and tier 5 (North Premier) of the English rugby union league system, although higher ranked clubs tend to field reserve sides due to the demands of league rugby.

The current format is a knockout cup with a semi-finals and a final to be held at the ground of one of the finalists.

[4] Previously the cup final was held at a pre-determined venue but this has changed in recent seasons.