When was league invented?

Answer 1

1895 - Threatened with expulsion from the RFU if they cannot prove their amateurism, 21 leading Lancashire and Yorkshire clubs meet at the George Hotel, Huddersfield on 29 August 1895. They vote unanimously to form the Northern Rugby Football Union (NU) and allow broken-time payments.

1896 - Manningham of Bradford win first NU Championship.

1897 - To make the game more exciting, the NU abolishes the line-out and reduces value of all goals to two points. Tries worth three points. Batley beat St Helens in first Challenge Cup final.

1904 - First international match: England (3) Other Nationalities (9) at Wigan.

1906 - Modern rugby league is born when the number of players is reduced from fifteen to thirteen a side. Rucks and mauls after a tackle replaced by the play-the-ball.

1907 - Rugby league spreads to Australia and New Zealand. First New Zealand side, organised by A.H. Baskerville, tours Britain

With thanks to my colleagues in the league code