The first Grey Cup was played between the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club. The University of Toronto won the game 26-6. The Grey Cup’s legacy began in 1909, although it wasn’t the first time a Dominion senior rugby champion was declared. Teams from Eastern Canada had battled for the national championship since 1892, when Osgoode Hall defeated Universite de Montreal 45-5.
Albert Henry George Grey, Canada’s Governor General from 1904-1911, wanted to donate a trophy to Canada’s senior hockey champions, but Sir H. Montagu Allan beat him to it. Lord Grey was convinced to donate a trophy to the national rugby champions instead, and thus the Grey Cup was born. The first game for the new trophy featured the University of Toronto against the Parkdale Canoe Club. Many believed Parkdale wasn’t in the same league as the Varsity Blues.
Hugh Gail opened the scoring for the Varsity Blues with a 65-yard rouge, followed by the first try in Grey Cup history. Parkdale was given an ovation at halftime for its surprising play, but any hopes for an upset were dashed in the third quarter. Varsity Blues outscored Parkdale 9-1, highlighted by Murray Thompson’s major. The Varsity Blues players had to wait until the following March to officially celebrate as Grey’s staff forgot to have the trophy made before the game.
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