The 1951 National Trophy (sponsored by the Daily Mail) was the 14th edition of the Knockout Cup. The Trophy consisted of three stages; stage one was for the third division clubs, stage two was for the second division clubs and stage three was for the top-tier clubs. The winner of stage one would qualify for stage two and the winner of stage two would qualify for the third and final stage. Exeter won stage one and therefore qualified for stage two.[4]
Third Division Qualifying First round
Date
Team one
Score
Team two
05/04
Cardiff
52-56
Rayleigh
05/04
Plymouth
54-54
Exeter
02/04
Poole
69-39
Aldershot
02/04
Exeter
77-30
Plymouth
31/03
Aldershot
66-40
Poole
31/03
Rayleigh
68-40
Cardiff
31/03
Swindon
71-37
Long Eaton
29/03
Long Eaton
49-58
Swindon
Third Division Qualifying semifinals
Date
Team one
Score
Team two
16/04
Exeter
73-35
Rayleigh
16/04
Poole
61-47
Swindon
07/04
Swindon
66-41
Poole
14/04
Rayleigh
56-52
Exeter
Qualifying final
First leg
Swindon Robins Hugh Geddes 15 Bob Jones 10 Danny Malone 9 Ken Wiggins 6 Buster Brown 4 Ray Ellis 2 Frank Evans 1 Dennis Newton 0
47 – 61
Exeter Falcons Bob Roger 13 Don Hardy 10 Goog Hoskin 9 Johnny Sargeant 8 Ted Moore 8 Vic Gent 6 Jack Bedkober 5 Paul Best 2