Starting in 1905 the competition ran, with the exception of 1915 to 1918, until the 1992–93 season, when it folded due to fixture congestion.

The competition was open to all senior member clubs of the Rugby Football League in Yorkshire and was normally played in the opening months of the season.

On two occasions, 1918–19 and 1940–41 the competition was held towards the end of the season due to the two world wars.

The cup finals in 1942, 1943 and 1944 were played over two legs with the winner being determined by aggregate score over the two matches.

[4] In 2019, the name of the competition was reused as a pre-season tournament between seven of the non-Super League teams; Batley, Bradford, Dewsbury, Featherstone, Halifax, Hunslet and York; and amateur side Hunslet Club Parkside.