29 Apr 2022

National Conference League Round 8 Preview

The OurLeague cameras are out in force again this week with a Premier Division clash between NCL heavyweights Hunslet Club Parkside and West Hull to whet the appetite.

Traditionally a close encounter, the two clubs have built up a good-natured rivalry since Hunslet's rise to the top division in 2018 culminated in a Grand Final between the two clubs that saw Hunslet Club Parkside complete the perfect season.

Parkside's senior player Jamie Fields is looking forward to their arrival.

"It's one of our favourite games to play in. We look out for West Hull." The experienced forward said, "It's the battle of the green and golds. They are the most successful side in the Premier Division."

"They are a champion side and you know if you are going to win the competition you need to beat West Hull home, and away."

"The backbone of that club is the same as ours - winning is a habit. When you are winning you can scrape out results from nothing. It's all the mentality."

"They've had the same coach now for a long while, they know their roles within the team. They are a good solid side. It's the same for us."

Recently the Hunslet club have registered a couple of losses. Jamie reflected, "You know we've had a bit of a sketchy patch, but we are coming through the other side of it now, we think we are on a good thing. I didn't play last week but the lads said that they did it really tough in difficult conditions, it was really windy at York Acorn and they played well."

"Hopefully we can start building from that and putting a few results together, starting on Saturday with West Hull. We know it's going to be very tough."

Speaking of the mentality needed to compete at the very top of the National Conference League, Fields added, "When you are pushing to be in the top two or three, you don't want to be putting losses on the board. Losing can be challenging and that's something that we've had to overcome and something that we haven't really dealt with before. We are looking for a good reaction and I think we have surprised ourselves in that it can happen to us. We aren't untouchable and teams have got better in and around us."

"West Hull are a massive club. There are a lot of good people over at West Hull. They do things right and the production line speaks for itself. There are a lot of clubs out there that aspire to be like West Hull, especially us."

"We are not quite as big as West Hull, but it's something we aspire to be in years to come."

Jamie picked out Ryan Steen as one to watch. "He's their loose forward and captain, he's an absolute workhorse and packs more than a punch above his weight. He's just a brilliant player, he could get in any side in the Conference and is a player that I have a lot of respect for. He's been a real thorn in our side and never stops going."

Viewers can tune in live and free from 2:15pm with the game scheduled to start at 2:30pm. All that is needed is to sign up for free here.

This is just one of a number of exciting games across the divisions this weekend. Lock Lane's credentials go on the line at home against a Pilkington Recs team that defeated Wath Brow last week, while there are two big games in Division One with Kells hosting Skirlaugh and Stanningley taking the short trip to Oulton Raiders. Division Two sees Clock Face Miners host Heworth while there's a Warrington derby between Woolston Rovers and Crosfields.

Division Three brings Millom and Leigh East together while Seaton Rangers host Waterhead Warriors.

The full fixture list is as follows:

Premier Division