1896 NSW Rugby Union season
The 1896 New South Wales Rugby Football Union season was the 23rd season of the Sydney Rugby Premiership. Six clubs competed from May till August 1896. The season culminated in the premiership, which was won by Randwick. Randwick were crowned premiers by virtue of finishing the season on top of the table. Teams Senior grade Six clubs signed up with the New South Wales Rugby Football Union to play the Senior Premiership. Each of the teams had participated in the premiership previously. At the end of the previous season, both the Balmain Football Club and Paddington Electorate Football Club had withdrawn from the premiership. At the beginning of the new season, a Paddington Football Club was formed which could be considered a new club. However, the Union did not agree and would classify the club as a continuation of the previous one. This would have ramifications for Paddington later in the season. Season summary The 1896 NSWRFU Sydney Rugby Premiers, Randwick, experienced a great year. Until their defeat at the hands of Wentworth in the semifinal for the Agricultural Society Trophy, Randwick were undefeated and had positioned themselves in an unassailable position on the premiership ladder. The club had already