Blackbrook are this week's rugby-league.com Club of the Week, after they secured promotion from NCL Division 2 on Saturday.
The St Helens-based club, who helped produce the likes of England international and Canterbury Bulldogs captain James Graham, have enjoyed a hugely successful year, despite a less than impressive start for their NCL side.
Brook, coached by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats star Ant Walker, looked set for a relegation battle early in the season after losing their first four games of 2016.
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They were thrashed 42-10 at Saddleworth Rangers in March, before a 32-10 home defeat at the hands of Thornhill Trojans, who they would go on to beat in the play-off semi-final.
A 70-6 loss at Hunslet Club Parkside, ahead of a 32-18 defeat at Bradford Dudley Hill, saw them sitting bottom of the third tier by the end of April.
The brook the brook were going up #winnersrgrinners
— Ste Marsh (@realstemarsh) October 15, 2016
Though they managed to pick up three wins against their relegation rivals, they remained firmly at risk of relegation by the end of June, following a 40-6 defeat at Leigh East.
Despite their on-field troubles, Club Secretary Tom Davidson helped keep the squad together and was rewarded for his patience with a remarkable run of results.
Blackbrook didn't lose a single game after the East defeat, winning 13 successive matches on a remarkable charge towards an unlikely promotion.
Highlights included a stunning 18-14 win over runaway leaders Hunslet, recovering from the 64-point reverse earlier in the season, while they turned around a 50-22 defeat at home to Wigan St Judes with a 24-22 away win, alongside an 86-0 win over Stanley Rangers.
They finished the season in third place and made their way to the final after what was described as 'one of the most dramatic games ever seen at Boardman's Lane.'
Brook, who called on 16-year-old debutant Ryan Fawshaw for the semi-final, trailed 0-14 to Thornhill Trojans as the clock ticked passed the 70th minute mark, but three converted tries in the final nine minutes, with the last coming on the final play of the game, saw Brook through to a remarkable 12th successive win, Greg Hale with the winning try as Arron Hewitt converted.
That set up a tough-looking trip to Cumbria for the final, as Askam hosted the Division 2 promotion final.
Congratulations to @BlackbrookJRLFC u15 Blues, who secured the NWC Div2 title with a 78-0 win at Thatto Heath ðŸ‰ðŸ‘ðŸ¾ðŸ‘ðŸ¾ðŸ‰ #championes
— Martin Darwin (@martind3627) October 2, 2016
And yet more drama was to follow, as they clinched promotion to the second tier with an almost unbelievable 24-23 win.
Askam raced 14-0 up early on and led 20-8 mid-way through the second period, but Brook kept working, and found themselves level inside the final ten minutes after tries from Dan Fairhurst, Scott Davidson and Greg Hale, as well as five Hewitt goals.
Great teams play not the best and win and thats what @BrookOA have done today! Last second try by @greghale87 did for us today! #proud
— Ant Walker (@Ant_Walker) October 1, 2016
However, with eight minutes remaining, Adam Jackson's drop goal seemed to have won it for Askam.
But, undeterred, Brook forced a drop out and, with several Askam players eager to defend their line, they strayed offside at the kick, leaving Hewitt with nervy penalty kick to edge Brook in front for the first time with just four minutes remaining.
Brook held out as Askam spilled the ball and claimed a stunning victory.
Well done @BrookOA 24-23 winners and promoted to division 1.
— Blackbrook Royals (@BlackbrookJRLFC) October 15, 2016
Founded in 1952, Blackbrook are one of the country's leading community clubs, having produced the likes of James Graham, Matty Smith, James Roby, Gary Wheeler, Adam Swift, Gary Connolly and Lee Gaskell amongst many others.
Well what a day! Won 50-0 for @WalesRugbyL and the @BrookOA got the win to get promoted 23-24! Made up to be part of both sides
— Ant Walker (@Ant_Walker) October 15, 2016
@BrookOA Massive congratulations to the Brook boys and their win in the play off final, coach @Ant_Walker doing a great job! #UpTheBrook ðŸ‘ðŸ»
— Paul Crook (@Crooky6) October 15, 2016
They host teams across all age groups and are currently on the lookout for new players at all levels.
For more information, contact Tom Davidson: tom62.td@googlemail.com.
