22 Apr 2022

NCL Preview | Round 7

On a weekend of top-class clashes, many eyes will be on the Division Two derby between Dewsbury Moor and Dewsbury Celtic.

A little over a mile separates the two clubs, and history binds them, with Dewsbury Celtic lending Dewsbury Moor a kit right at the start of their rugby journey before they settled on maroon after being loaned shirts from Huddersfield.

"It's the one everyone looks out for on the fixture list," Moor secretary Christian Floyd said. "There is a real rivalry between the two clubs out on that field for eighty minutes. The tension leading up to the game, the build-up, the atmosphere, everything between the two clubs is massive up to that point."

"Afterwards everyone has a real good drink together. There is nothing from the field that comes off it, it's fantastic, a really good day. We're expecting a crowd of over a thousand people if it's anything like the last one. For us, it's the game of the community this weekend."

Both teams have had some mixed form so far with Dewsbury Moor winning two games and Celtic just one. Floyd suggested the quality of the competition so far has seen similar results across the division.

"Everyone is beating everyone. As for our form personally, well we could have improved in certain games without a shadow of a doubt, but if you look across the league in Division Two, it's a topsy turvy league this year. Anyone can beat anyone and I think that's the level of commitment to the league. If you look at the teams in it and where they are based, there's a lot of traveling within the division. I bet most teams haven't been able to field the same side. Home games are important because there are certain games when you can't send your full team to travel. It's a tough league and I think that shows across the board with results this season."

Over at Celtic, they feel they have been unlucky in several games this season and four of their losses have been by seven points or less.

First team player Liam Riley said, "In a couple, we've been beaten on the whistle and it's heart-breaking as a player and for the club to get so close. In most of those losses we've been winning with about ten minutes to go and something hasn't gone our way or we've just switched off. It's not been the best start to the season but every week has been a bit better. We've been working hard and trying to get where we need to be."

"This week it's the local derby and hopefully it will be our week. Local derbies are the best thing but this Dewsbury Moor and Dewsbury Celtic is age-old! It's stood the test of time. We look forward to it and it's something that all the lads are fired up for. It's marked on our calendar every year. It's not five minutes down the road, but it's good because there is a history there. There are lads that have played for them that have played for us and vice versa. We are all mates and we all know each other, so it's a bit different from going somewhere where you don't know anyone."

"That said, this week we have Moor and training is the same - it doesn't change. We don't change. We stick to our guns and Paul Heaton, our Head coach is very good at keeping us grounded and telling us what he wants us to work on and what went well."

"For us, it's all about two points at the end of the day. Every team goes to training each week thinking I need two points on a Saturday and have a good time with the lads. It is two points, but the difference is, this one is weighted a little differently in the community."

"Floydie went to Fishers school and was in the year below me and is someone that I've known a long time and it's the same with other lads. It's mate against mate and looks a bit different when they are wearing their maroon and we are wearing our green and white."

Riley continued, "We've got a lot of young lads and a lot of talented players that have played in a couple of academies and come back to the amateur game and they are tearing it up. They have been pushing and driving us with intensity and it's been a breath of fresh air this year."

The first big Dewsbury derby gets underway at 2:30 pm this Saturday, 23rd April.

The fixture list this time out sees a host of attractive games across the divisions.

In the Premier Division, there are two heavyweight clashes as West Hull travel over to Thatto Heath Crusaders while Siddal host Lock Lane.

Division One sees a tasty local derby on the menu between Hull Dockers and Myton Warriors while Kells host Stanningley and Oulton Raiders travel to Wigan St Pats.

Normanton Knights versus Heworth is another result to look out for from Division Two, while Batley Boys host Seaton Rangers and Hensingham travel to Leigh east in Division Three.

This weekend's National Conference League Fixtures:

Premier Division