North West Men's League Finals

NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE FINALS

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30 RUSKIN DRIVE, WA10 6RP WELCOME

As ever on today’s occasion I open with the classic, Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening and welcome which although resembles something out of the Trueman show is relevant to all our games and staff of whom some would have started out at 7am this morning and won’t get home until 11pm tonight. So to kick off the acknowledgements I will thank my hard working volunteers and RFL staff who have put together this event. I will also personally thank Billy Dillon and Pilkington Recs, along with St Helens Council, for providing the venue and working hard together to get the show organised. Also thanks to the side kick Laura Fairbank she does more than most behind the scenes and seldom get appreciated, so thank you all.

It’s hard to find a venue that will host 6 games back to back and although the Rugby Football League heavily subsidise these events it was the NWML Management that said no to the astronomical cost that our historical venue wanted to charge. We can only hope that our endeavours today pay off and we have provided a top-quality playing service and facilities for the players and spectators to play, support and enjoy.

Our first game today kicks off at a shivering 9.30am when Wigan Spring View take on Saddleworth in the Division 5 final. Both these teams last season had folded or not got off the ground so it’s great to see them pushing forward and getting to the final game of the season.

Game 2 shows again that strong work with volunteers pays tenfold. Woolston A and Westhoughton Lions have both grown this season. Woolston have managed to maintain the reserve grade whilst their NCL grade has maintained a good standing in their respective division. Westhoughton this season have hit their 20th anniversary and are now putting together a formidable package off the field. It was great to see their second Lions Fest which not only gave you great rugby but entertained you with Live wrestling, music and the odd reptilian. It well worth a visit next season!

Hold on to your seats as the Division 3 final is possibly going to be a fire cracker. These teams have met a couple of times in the past few weeks and only a couple of points have separated them in both games, Oldham St Anne’s winning on both occasions. St Cuthbert’s will be looking for revenge after what they perceived to be a last-minute try wiped out by a great touch judge call with a foot on the line, I’m on the fence for this one. Come 3.30pm we are half way there but the rugby does not stop. Roll up Rochdale Mayfield and Widnes Tigers. Division 2 could not have been any tighter with 3 clubs finishing on 24 points, Mayfield taking the title on points difference. Tigers were second and will be looking to win this one to share the silverware.

The Division 1 Grand Final sees Folly Lane and the resurgent Halton Farnworth Hornets battling for the honours. Both teams have had a great season and both will be back in the Premiership next season competing with the big teams. I’m sure both clubs will go out and give it their all.

Our final game is the Premiership Final between Thatto Heath and Orrell St James. Orrell have been one of the most successful clubs over the last 4 – 5 years running two competitive teams and both winning trophies. Thatto Heath have also been superb in their development, maintaining a great standard in the NCL as well as table topping the NWML. Only two points separated these two teams after the regular season so again a ding dong battle should be afoot.

Please enjoy your day and please respect everyone that attends, plays and officiates today. It will be a long day for all concerned and your encouragement is required.

Thank you all for your continued support this season and have a good Winter break and we will see you all next Season.

Stuart Prior NWML Chairman NORTH WEST MEN’S LEAGUE RUNNING ORDER

DIVISION 5 | 9.30 AM WIGAN SPRING VIEW v SADDLEWORTH RANGERS A REFEREE: ANDREW MARSH | TOUCH JUDGES: JIM FALLON & DYLAN BARLOW RESERVE: AARON MOORE

DIVISION 4 | 11.30 AM WOOLSTON ROVERS A v WESTHOUGHTON LIONS

REFEREE: AARON MOORE | TOUCH JUDGES: PHIL THOMAS & MATTHEW BALL RESERVE: IAN HARVEY

DIVISION 3 | 1.30 PM WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS v OLDHAM ST ANNES A REFEREE: IAN HARVEY | TOUCH JUDGES: DYLAN BARLOW & ANDREW MARSH RESERVE: PHIL THOMAS

DIVISION 2 | 3.30 PM ROCHDALE MAYFIELD A v WIDNES TIGERS REFEREE: DOMINIC BRESLIN | TOUCH JUDGES: JAMES COLLIER & CALLUM KELLY RESERVE: PHIL SALISBURY

DIVISION 1 | 5.30 PM FOLLY LANE v HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS REFEREE: PHIL SALISBURY | TOUCH JUDGES: PHIL RIGBY & STEPHEN CATTERALL RESERVE: PHIL LOEB

PREMIER | 7.30 PM THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS A v ORRELL ST JAMES

REFEREE: PHIL LOEB | TOUCH JUDGES: JAMES COLLIER & CALLUM KELLY RESERVE: PHIL RIGBY DIVISION 5 | 9.30 AM WIGAN SPRING VIEW WIGAN SPRING VIEW v SADDLEWORTH RANGERS A

We are currently in the rebuilding players and have been able to turn 2 process this season after teams out several times this year. unfortunately folding last year. We are very excited at the prospect of This season we have been lucky playing in a grand final in our first season enough to have a flutter of new back up and running and are hoping for many more to come.

WIGAN SPRING VIEW SQUAD

After a four year absence we were As a Club we are very proud to say that every delighted to re enter the NWML member of the squad has come through our competition in 2017. junior teams to Open Age.

Last Winter our Masters players offered For many of them, all of their rugby league to steer and support a team in the NWML life to date has been spent at Saddleworth comprising our 2016 Under 18s; first team Rangers. fringe players and anyone who wanted to play but could not commit to being They have had an outstanding first season, available every week. losing only one league fixture along the way, and fully deserve their place in the Grand Final. SQUAD

RYAN GORDON, 24, FULL BACK/WING | JAMES ADAMS, 19, WING SAMMY IRELAND, 19, CENTRE | NATHAN ROEBUCK, 17, CENTRE/SECOND ROW LEWIS ADAMS, 19, WING | JAY TAYLOR, 17, STAND OFF | ROB KIVLIN, 25, SCRUM HALF JAMES BUCKLEY, 19, PROP | SAM OGDEN, 19, HOOKER/LOOSE | TOM LEES, 26, PROP CHRIS CONWAY, 41, PROP/SECOND ROW | JAMES ROGERS, 42, PROP/SECOND ROW ADAM WALKER, 35 ,LOOSE/SECOND ROW | RYAN ROBINSON, 23, WING AARON MULLER, 29, PROP/SECOND ROW | JACK LEIGH, 22, SECOND ROW REECE CUMISKY, 19, SECOND ROW | JOSHUA PEGLER, 24, WING DANNY BALLAN, 31, PROP/SECOND ROW | SAM KERSHAW, 20, HOOKER CALLUM SIDDALL, 22, CENTRE/SECOND ROW | SIMON PARRISH, 36, LOOSE/PROP JACK HOLDEN, 32, HOOKER/SECOND ROW | HARRY GODFREY, 20, HOOKER SAM HART, 19, FULL BACK/CENTRE | DANNY ATTERSALL, 31, PLAYER COACH PHILIP WOOD, 34, PLAYER COACH | CHRIS GARFORTH, 38, PLAYER COACH WOOLSTON DIVISION 4 | 11.30 AM WOOLSTON ROVERS A ROVERS A v WESTHOUGHTON LIONS

The route to the Play Off Final Semi Final (1 v 4) Won 24-0 Culcheth Eagles (home)

Season to date NWML Division Four: played 18, won 15 victory over Culcheth Eagles towards the and lost 3. Won the league title ahead end of August at Victoria Park Stadium. of Westhoughton Lions and Langworthy Reds. Won the NWML Shield Final with a 26-22 golden point extra time success over Won The Stuart Middleton Foundation Clock Face Miners ‘A’ in a titanic match at Warrington Alliance Cup with a 48-0 the beginning of September. SQUAD

AINSWORTH Max 19 Prop Forward

Young prop forward who has moved up from the Under 18s this season.

CALEY Steve 40 Centre

Experienced centre who never takes a backward step; unfortunately he is likely to miss the final though injury.

ECCLES Jake 17 Stand Off/Winger

Member of our Under 18s side who has made a significant contribution to the NWML side when called upon.

EVANS Jimmy 21 Full back/Centre

Talented player who scores plenty of tries; currently out of the country travelling so will miss the game.

EVANS Nathan 19 Second Row

Strong running second row who has took his chances well this season after moving up from last season’s Under 18s side.

FAGAN Tom 24 Second Row

Very under rated player who gets through a lot of work in attack and defence; been a regular for the past few years and never lets the side down.

FILES Adam 24 Hooker

Quality hooker who has returned to the club this year from Oldham; has added an extra dimension to the Rovers attack.

FILES Sam 26 Prop Forward

Very powerful prop forward who is very difficult to stop when close to the line; returned to the club earlier this season.

GARCIA O’BRIEN Dani 21 Centre/Full Back

Spanish International and current Spain player of the year; injury has restricted his appearances so far this year but on his day he is a very exciting player who is difficult to stop when in possession. GRIFFITHS Danny 38 Prop Forward/Second Row

Very strong prop forward who is very hard to stop when on the attack, especially close to the line. Adds a bit of steel to the side when out on the field.

HANDS Olly 19 Stand Off

Very talented stand off who has been in outstanding form; another of last year’s Under 18 side.

HASLAM Mark 38 Prop Forward

Very strong prop forward who gets through a lot of work; joined the club at the beginning of the season.

HAZLEHURST Owen 17 Prop Forward

Young prop forward with a great future; a member of the Under 18s side but has been a regular in the front row over the past couple of months.

HINTON Callum 17 Scrum Half

Talented scrum half with a good kicking game; another member of our Under 18s side who has stepped up when required.

JONES Kieran 17 Winger

Flying winger who has scored some excellent tries this season; very confident under the high ball and has become a regular despite still being in the Under 18s.

MAUNDER Billy 28 Scrum Half

Exceptional player who controls the game very well and he has passed on his experience to his fellow teammates. Captain of the side and leads by example.

MAZUR Patryk 18 Centre/Second Row

Young player who is very difficult to stop when he is in full flow; scored several long- range tries using his exceptional pace.

MOORE Callum 19 Centre/Hooker

Strong runner and defender who has made the move to centre this year with aplomb, normally a hooker but showing his versatility to good effect. MOORE Kieran 17 Stand Off/Hooker

Very talented player who likes to take control of games. A member of the Under 18s side but has been a regular in the NWML all season.

NADIN Andy 45 Prop Forward

Strong running prop forward who never shirks a challenge and is also very good defensively.

PARR Olly 19 Centre/Winger

Classy winger or centre who has been in the side all year and never let anybody down; very dependable in attack and defence.

PETERS Ryan 19 Second Row

Young second row who has moved up from last year’s Under 18s and will be looking to cement a place in the side.

POTTS Richard 28 Prop Forward

Strong running prop forward who is a great character, always prepared to get stuck in and do the hard graft.

RIGBY Craig 28 Second Row

Powerful second row who joined the club earlier in the campaign and has proved to be a great acquisition, strong in defence.

RYDER Jay 22 Centre/Winger

Young outside back who has been a regular in the side this season; strong defender who gets through a lot of work.

SULLIVAN Liam 22 Full Back

Very talented full back who has been in great form all year, excellent goalkicker who has also get pace to burn.

TOHER Niall 20 Second Row

Another young forward who joined the club earlier in the season and has settled in very well. Very strong in attack and defence. WARD Mike 42 Loose Forward

Experienced loose forward who always gets his team on the front foot; unfortunately will miss the Final after sustaining an injury in the semi final win.

WHITELEY Scott 24 Loose Forward/Hooker

Very talented player who has re-joined the club after spending a couple of years in Australia; very elusive runner who is equally at home at loose forward or hooker.

WOODWARD Tom 21 Prop Forward/Second Row

Strong running forward who is very difficult to hold down; gets through a lot of work in defence and is always in the thick of the action.

COACHING STAFF

Andy PENNY (Joint Coach)

Steve MOORE (Joint Coach)

MEDICAL STAFF

Doug BERRY

TEAM MANAGER

Kay WHITE DIVISION 4 | 11.30 AM WESTHOUGHTON LIONS WOOLSTON ROVERS A v WESTHOUGHTON LIONS

Three years ago the team only had eight players we won all the remaining five games we would be who would regularly train and turn up to play without champions! fail. Now we are a young vibrant squad with nearly 30 players regularly training and playing. This would be no easy task as all the games were against the top five teams in the league. Beating We dropped down in to Division 4 three seasons ago Runcorn at home gave us the impetus we needed; with the goal to build not only the playing numbers but that was soon stopped as we were beaten by but also the quality of our playing and over the last today’s opponents Woolston in the very next game. three years we have shown progression in both areas. This in reality meant we could no longer be We are not the most glamorous club, not a promoted as champions but promotion was still clubhouse to call our own nor showering facilities within our grasp as long as we won all the remaining on site, but nevertheless we have fostered a truly games. fantastic team spirit and from this developed in to a strong team; who after finishing 4th last season set Playing Langworthy Reds at home was potentially our ambition to be promoted this season. a real season finisher for us. The team were magnificent on the day and pulled out a great Pre-season started in November; lots of hill running victory; this win galvanised the lads and gave them on cold winter nights with strength conditioning the belief they could win the last two games against being added in the new year. local rivals Culcheth and Little Hulton.

The season got off to a slow start with our first game Both were hard fought games with the Lions being against Cadishead being a close run victory and with victorious; this meant we gained promotion which our next game against Runcorn being re-arranged has a first for the club is a great achievement. followed by a defeat to Culcheth we could not get any consistency in our play. We ended the regular season with the best defence in the league boasting a record of W 13 D 0 L 5 However, the with Spring beckoning we went on a scoring 574 points and conceding 294. good run of victories beating Woolston, Manchester Rangers and Rylands handsomely. The play off game against Langworthy was a truly spectacular game, and for the 100 + crowd that came However the with spring beckoning we went on a to watch one they will always remember. good run of victories beating Woolston, Manchester rangers and Rylands handsomely. Langworthy scored first before the Lions ran in 5 unanswered tries to finish the half 26-6 to the good. All was set for the run to continue at Langworthy However, second half Langworthy came storming Reds; we were playing well and victory was within back with 5 unanswered tries of their own; suddenly our grasp when two of our starting back row clashed they were 10 points in front with twenty minutes to heads and both had to leave the field of play go....Could we regroup, well all that hill running was requiring stitches. This eventually cost us the game. not for the fun of it!

With victories against Little Hulton and Orrell things The Lions scored two quick tries to edge us in front looked to be back on track; however throughout the 38-36 and with five minutes remaining Langworthy month of June we went on a losing streak of three gave their everything to gain the win forcing the games and pushed ourselves out of the top four. Lion’s resolute defence to hold up their forward twice in the in-goal area. Great game played in the Due to other teams around us taking points of each right spirit by two good teams. other we came to the end of July knowing that if SQUAD

COACHES: GEOFF SHEELAN | DOUG OWEN | HOWARD NEWTON | TONY GRINDLEY TOUCH RUGBY LEAGUE It is a minimal contact recreational Touch Rugby League is a fast moving sport that is about playing the game on minimal contact evasive game that is the field and also the social atmosphere played throughout the world by men & afterwards. women of all ages and skill levels. Touch is a great way of meeting people This fast, simple and exciting game or involving partners or friends. promotes the fundamental skills of Touch is a non-contact sport so is almost running, handling, evasion and support completely injury free, It is a fun, easy and play, developing basis principles of attack active way of keeping fit. It is a very social and defence, without the fear of getting sport, and a great way of team building. hurt.

Touch Rugby is suitable for both VISIT playtouchrugbyleague.co.uk beginners and experienced players. CONTACT [email protected]

WHEELCHAIR of both sexes and a wide age range the RUGBY LEAGUE opportunity to compete both with and against each other on a level playing field Rugby League has always tried to be created by the use of wheelchairs and inclusive and now Wheelchair Rugby some slight adaptations of the rules of League has made it probably the most Rugby League. inclusive team sport in the world. Fast, dynamic and exciting, it makes for a great Wheelchair Rugby League is unlike most game playable by all… wheelchair sports in remaining faithful to the rules of Rugby League. Wheelchair Rugby League was invented in France and introduced in the UK in 2005. The game is unique in that it offers CONTACT [email protected] both disabled and non-disabled players www.wheelchairrl.co.uk MASTERS version of the sport and the rules are RUGBY LEAGUE slightly modified to cater for the older gentleman. There are no winners, no Masters Rugby League started in New champions and no cup finals. Masters Zealand in 1992 and progressed to is all about the spirit of the game and Australia, before coming to the UK in everyone experiencing the enjoyment of 2008, where it is enjoying great success playing, and, after the match, the most and currently engaging hundreds of important rule is “Everyone has to buy a players. It’s a fantastic sport to be drink for their opposite number”. involved in, both on the field and in the after-match social. YOU DON’T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE Masters Rugby League can only be YOU GROW OLD | YOU GROW OLD played by persons aged 35 or over BECAUSE YOU STOP PLAYING with our eldest player now 82 years of age. Masters is open to all whether you VISIT www.mastersrl.co.uk have played rugby league before or not and you don’t have to be super fit or CONTACT super league to play. It is strictly a social [email protected]

TAG RUGBY LEAGUE Tag Rugby League is a minimal contact Registration for leagues, taster sessions version of Rugby League, generally and events is open for teams, part teams played in the 7-a-side format. and individual players.

Try Tag Rugby have mixed, men’sMen’s and Tag Rugby has a lively social scene and ladiesWomen’s weekday weekday evening evening or weekendor weekend it’s a great place to meet new friends, leagues running across London, The there’s also one-day tournaments and Thames Valley, Yorkshire and Manchester festivals which feature post-match parties. year round. Matches last 40 minutes and Leagues VISIT trytagrugby.com vary in standards, ranging from those aimed at beginners who’ve never CONTACT touched a Rugbyrugby ball, ball, to to experienced experienced [email protected] players.

If you have never played before, why not give it a go at one of our FREE Taster Sessions. DIVISION 3 | 1.30 PM WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS v OLDHAM ST ANNES A

Wigan St Cuthberts re-entered the Cup to reach the NWML Trophy NWML this season after a year out final accounting for strong Division and came back into Division 3 with 2 sides Manchester Rangers and a youthful side and experienced Widnes Tigers along the way. The trio Sean Foster, Mark Baggaley team secured promotion and won and Danny McNamee leading the the Division 3 title with a game to team. Cuthberts started the season spare making this a very successful strongly in only the teams third season for the team and club, as game pushing NCL side Dewsbury they look to continue to build and Moor all the way in a National Cup with the average age of the side at tie before going on an 11 game 21 the future is looking very good for unbeaten run in the League and the Wigan St Cuthberts club.

SQUAD

As a club last season we started off strong with a decent size squad, but as The coaches have not only brought any other second team can relate too we some excellent rugby to the field they lost a lot of players throughout the year have also built a real team off the pitch to the 1st team. too.

After taking a step down into the 3rd The competition for places and division we’ve brought in an excellent the friendships the players have coach in Paul Green and also bringing in strengthened is a big key to our success with him the experience of Rick Badby this season. and Gaz Ainsworth. We met Cuthberts in the Cup final which Together they have built a regular 26 was a real tough battle against a good man squad and a great environment well drilled side, that game could of gone to a very experienced and quality side, either way so were expecting another bringing back a lot of old faces to the tough game. club

SQUAD

Rochdale Mayfield NWML team started off Indeed 14 of our squad played first team rugby the season with 90% of the team made up of in the NCL Premier Division this season which Under 20’s and some even younger than 18 shows how well the lads are coached and the so this was always going to be a season of standard of the NWML Division 2. development or so we felt until our lads went on a winning run early in the season setting a Having run away with the league in the earlier marker for the others to follow. rounds we however due to the loss of players to first team etc we showed our immaturity Often we had a game day Squad in excess of and lost a few games we really should have 20 players however once we were seen to be won. However finishing top of the pile, we beating teams the ones who had let us play feel that we are in our rightful position and with 20 lads soon changed there minds and we hope to do well in today’s final and then only allowed us 17 , however this did not deter do our division proud and hold our own and us and this coupled with a number of first push for play-offs in the higher division along team injuries we started to loose a few lads to with our opponents and second placed side, the NCL side so disrupting our rhythm. Widnes Tigers.

SQUAD

BACK ROOM STAFF MARVIN CONNOLLY-HEAD COACH CRAIG WHITE ,DAVID HARMER,NEIL RAMSDEN -ASSISTANT COACHES

EMMA PATTERSON -TEAM PHYSIO DIVISION 2 | 3.30 PM WIDNES TIGERS ROCHDALE MAYFIELD A v WIDNES TIGERS

2017 has been a year of change and Trophy and today’s NWML Division 2 improvement for the Widnes Tigers. Grand Final. Experienced players Dave Murphy, Ben Karalius and Liam Myler took over the The first half of the season saw them coaching which resulted in a stronger, win 6 out of 8 League games and 2 Cup fitter and more focused squad. Whilst games, with the pick of the results being a move across town to the Moorfield a 23-16 away win at Rochdale Mayfield Sports & Social club provided better and a 26-18 away Trophy Quarter Final facilities and structures for future win at Wigan St Judes. A mid-season progression. break to Las Vegas seemed to impact this form with the next 5 games resulting The squad further benefited from a host in just 2 wins. The most disappointing of new signings in James Shelley, Darren result being a 32-24 home loss to Wigan Soley, Jordan Barr, Steven Fenney, St Cuthberts in the NWML Trophy semi- Danny Hulme, Lee Holland, Keiron final. The club got back to winning ways Arndell, Josh Kenyon, Shaun Attwood, though with arguably their performance Tom Fry, Chris Barr and John Hensby. of the season so far a 2nd victory against This bolstered a squad that already had Rochdale Mayfield by 32-8. The Tigers talented young players in Tom Duggan, then suffered 6 weeks without playing Jack Salter, Lewis Coffey, Jamie Benson, a game due to various reasons. The Ste Dunn and Ben Salter as well as more final game last weekend confirmed the experienced regulars Shaun Gledhill, Tigers Grand Final place with the team Chris Walsh, Paddy Naughton, Craig Ellis, overcoming Manchester Rangers with Mike Rendle, Matty Burgess, Mike Barr, a 50-30 victory, in an excellent playoff Jonny Crank, Niall Brown and James semi-final to get here today. O’Neil. The team have been excellent in attack The Tigers also added much needed throughout the season, led superbly by support off the field with Graham Fenney captain and key player Ben Karalius, with joining the longstanding chairman Peter Jack Salter and Tom Duggan being the Doyle in steering the ship. main beneficiaries and leading the try scoring. The season will go down as a successful one for the Tigers winning 14 League Widnes Tigers would like to thank main games & narrowly losing 4. This resulted sponsors Widnes Metal Recycling, in a second place finish in the League Moorfield Sports & Social club and all and achieving the clubs main goal other sponsors and supporters for their of promotion to Division 1. They also help throughout the season. reached the semi-final of the NWML SQUAD

This year has been another successful confident that a jump into the Premier season for our young ‘Open age’ team. division will allow us to develop even further. Following on from last years experiment of ‘blooding’ the younger players, they In the past Folly Lane have provided have developed into a formidable team. both outstanding senior Professional and Both in winning the ‘League Leaders International players, and we aspire to shield’ and reaching the ‘Play off’ finals. do so again in the future. Contesting todays game goes one step further than last seasons nearly’s. Our coach Paul Wilde has blended together a fine group who have only The team have matured into a side been beaten twice in this seasons that is probably far better than the club league and finished up leaders, with expected at this stage, and we feel matches to spare.

SQUAD

Halton Farnworth Hornets are continually highly impressive Alex Smith is a great producing the goods and the talent in our replacement. youth teams bodes well for the future & we’re determined to offer pathways to With experienced pair Craig Dourley at 7 open age, club rugby league at the highest and Anthony Hollins at 9 the three should possible standard, both on and off the field. hopefully prove a handful.

Keeping everyone interested, happy and On their day our back line is a test for the together is always going to be difficult but best defences with pace & threat coming the club now has numerous, committed from Alex Mellor, Gav Conroy, Nathan Lyon, personal that between them have stabilised Scott Yates and Tom Swift. and progressed the playing side of things. Our pack, led by ‘super’ skip Danny The coaching personnel of ex-players Ian Mellor is a blend of youthful energy and Daintith, Andrew Davies and Chris Kelly experienced grunt & guile and have been remain at the head of the club with a further the catalyst for our rapid evolution over the team of coaches introduced as part of the last two seasons . They just don’t let you ongoing building plans for the club. down!

Kevin Brown , John Murray , Gary McGrath There have been some stand out results , Ian Skinner , Lee Birdseye and Mark in the season. An away win up at Hindpool Birmingham have all inputted over the past Tigers, and a fantastic win in the cup season and a half to ensure the coaching Quarter Final against Premier Division side of things is well represented during winners Thatto Heath being the highlights. the testing summer schedule. There was also a close defeat away at Hindley in the Cup Semi- Final, which The club now boasts two Open Age sides shows the club will be competitive and and has around 60 players signed on, aiming high next season in the top division. which has been required due to summer Folly Lane have already beaten us twice commitments. this season & have been the best and most As most clubs will have, we have rotated consistent side so deserved to finish top players for the majority of the season and of Division 1, but the Grand Final gives us come into the final without key players due one more opportunity to make a statement, to long term injuries who are unfortunately finish with some silverware and the lads not able to share the experience of the play can’t wait. off final. Well done and good luck to all of today’s First choice halves of Konnagh Hill finalists! (cruciate) and Danny Nelson (broken jaw) will be missed, however the versatile and SQUAD

Bolstered by some new and returning today’s opponents Orrell St James, faces to the club, Thatto Heath which ultimately helped the side Crusaders’ A’ got off to a flying start to secure the NWML Premier Division the season by rattling off 7 wins on the League leaders shield. A place in spin, culminating with a convincing win today’s final was secured with a over rivals Haydock at home in May. A 28-12 win over West Bank Bears last mid-season slump saw the side lose 4 Saturday in the Play Off Semi Final. games on the bounce including being knocked out of the NWML Cup. Superbly Coached by Mike Woods, Martin Horton and Darren Woods, The season got back on track and the team will be looking to round off Heath won all their remaining league the season in style and give retiring games, including a win away against Captain Dave Hull the perfect send off.

SQUAD

Orrell St James have made steady superb defenders. However, the strength progress since topping the Fourth of this team is in the fact that they all Division in 2013. They gained regular work together as a unit and play a very promotion in successive seasons expansive brand of rugby. culminating in their present position of second in the Premier Division. Noted The Club prides itself on instilling good successes were Grand Final wins four values rather than a win-at-all-costs years running. This year they reached attitude and is proud of the fact that a the BARLA National Cup Semi-final, large number of the squad are sons of only to lose away against a very former Orrell St James players. Running strong Hunslet Parkside, who became teams at all age groups under the the eventual winners. They recently tutelage of Head Coach Sean McHugh defeated Hindley in the NWML Cup Final there is a natural progression through and repeated the win last week in the the age groups and the vast majority play-offs to this secure year’s Grand Final of the current first team squad have place. represented the Club as youngsters.

They currently field a very young squad To reach this final St. James’s had with an average age of 20; Harry Mosley to overcome difficult opposition to and Ryan Ellis making their debuts at finish second in a very tough league, 16 whilst Sam Lewis and Jack McHugh culminating in a semi-final comeback both represented Lancashire U19s against Hindley who had led 4 - 12 with last season. The older players include only ten minutes of the game remaining. Danny Pyke and Dave Kennedy both Orrell finally triumphed 16 - 12 to take still under thirty. Jake Williams is an their place in the final today. inspiring captain at loose forward, Callum Wood works hard from dummy half , We hope today for a very clean hard- Brad Roby is a prolific goal kicker whilst fought game and may the better team Bradley Gallagher and Tom Whittle are win. SQUAD