The ACT local club rugby scene got underway in 1938 and from the very beginning 1st grade teams were competing for the striking bit of silverware donated by John I Dent.
Originally called the Federal Capital Territory Rugby Union Cup, in 1942 the trophy was renamed the John I Dent Cup following his passing.
With varied success from clubs throughout the competitions history, some have managed to cement themselves as the most successful clubs in the Bentspoke John I Dent Cup.
Below are the five clubs that boast the most premierships in the John I Dent Cup.
Three premierships in the last 5 years has cemented the Canberra Royals as John I Dent Cups’ most successful club.
Founded in 1949 and claiming their 1st premiership 6 years later, the club has had a couple of periods of domination. In the mid 60s (including a 3 peat: 1964 to 1966)and in the late 80s/early 90s, where they claimed 6 premierships in 7 years including five on the trot from 1987 to 1991.
The mid 90s through to the mid 2010s was a bleak period for the club before they claimed their 17th premiership in 2015 after a gap of 23 years between holding the cup aloft.
The Blue Baggers have participated in 7 of the last 9 grand finals, claiming 5 premierships.
The beginning of the 1st grade competition saw RMC claim three premierships in 4 years (including the joint premiership with Eastern Suburbs in 1941). The men from Duntroon where the dominant force in the competition's formative years collecting 12 premierships in the competitions first 15 years.
Ending their dominance on a good note, RMC would then claim a three peat in 1960, ’61 & ’62.
The John I Dent Cup's modern day powerhouse. The red men last raised the silverware back in 2018 but were the dominant club through the mid to late 90s and early 2010s.
Tuggeranong participated in their first grand final in 1991, and have competed in 15 grand finals in the last 20 years – winning 9.
The dominant club of the 70s, claiming 7 premierships from 1969 to 1978. The Lions suffered a lean period through the 80s, but came roaring back in the late 90s and early 2000s claiming 6 premierships between 1993 and 2005.
In 2005, the last time they held the silverware, Western Districts became the first ACT Rugby club to achieve Grand Final victories in all five senior grades.
The men across the border claimed their 1st premiership in 1959, before regaining success with a three peat in 1981, ’82 and ’83.
After a lean period through the ‘90s and early 2000s, the Whites got back on top claiming back to back premierships in 2007-2008. From 2007 to 2010, Queanbeyan were in all four grand finals, winning three.
Queanbeyan achieved their 8th premiership in their barnstorming run to claim the title from 4th place in 2022.
