Teams from across both sides of the Pennines are braced for the final few weeks of the season, as both the Yorkshire & North West Men’s League campaigns edge closer to a gripping finale with plenty to play for across all divisions.
First, it’s a table-topping clash in the YML Premier Division, as Westgate Common host Doncaster Toll Bar – Doncaster remain unbeaten this season and a win would see them leapfrog Westgate into first place, whilst a win for Westgate would secure top spot for themselves.
The rest of the top four is already confirmed, with last year’s champions Siddal Academy in third and Fryston Warriors in fourth.
A three-horse race for the Division 1 top spot is also on the cards, as King Cross Park, Sharlston Rovers and Almondbury Spartans all remain within touching distance of each other.
Sharlston and King Cross meet this weekend, with the home side needing a win to keep hopes alive.
There are also battles for fourth place to look forward to, with Bramley Buffaloes and Lindley St Joseph’s looking to gain the edge on one another. There’s a similar situation unfolding in Division 2, as Odsal Sedburgh and Wibsey Warriors are also involved in a two-way scrap for fourth.
Elsewhere in the division, Newsome Panthers have already secured their place as league leaders, with Ossett Trinity Tigers booking a top-four finish too.
Divisions 3 & 4 also have confirmed table toppers, with Keighley Albion and Stanley Rangers wrapping up first place respectively – there’s also an enthralling fight for fourth place in Division 4, with Underbank Rangers, Oulton Raiders, Garforth Raiders and Kippax & Swillington Miners all still vying for a play-off spot.
The battle for top spot in Division 5 is set to go down to the wire, too – Sherwood Wolf Hunt and Seacroft Sharks head into the final stretch of the season level, with Sherwood just edging it on points difference.
East Leeds have already wrapped up first place in Division 6, with an outstanding 100% record after 12 games. There are still three teams looking to finish in second, though, with Normanton Knights, Shaw Cross Sharks and Dewsbury Moor all in the hunt.
Division 7A’s league leaders are yet to be determined, with Castleford Panthers and Sherburn Bears still at it. The battle for first in Division 7B is just as exciting, with Queensbury A, King Cross Park A and Leeds Akkies all still in with a shout.
Division 7C concluded last month, after a resounding league win for Hull Dockers.
There’s plenty to play for across the North West Men’s League, too – Ashton Bears have taken the Premier Division by storm this year, and have wrapped up top spot with a perfect 100% record after 16 games.
Who finishes best of the rest remains to be seen, though, as three sides still aim for second place: Orrell St James, Blackbrook and Halton Farnworth Hornets.
NWML Division 1 is coming to a dramatic close with almost everything still yet to be determined – just two points separates the top three of Haresfinch, Hindley and Ulverston, with any one of the three still on for a first-place finish whilst any of Dalton, Folly Lane, Wigan St Cuthberts and Chorley Panthers can still make the play-offs by finishing in fourth.
Divisions 2 & 3 are also set for top-spot scraps –Cadishead Rhinos, Salford City Roosters, Wigan Spring View and Westoughton Lions are all in contention to lead Division 2, whilst Rochdale Mayfield A and Thatto Heath Crusaders B will lock horns for first place in Division 3.
Golborne Parkside have secured first place in Division 4 N&W, whilst Newton Storm have wrapped up second.
It’s a similar scenario in Division 4 S&E, with Burtonwood Bridge confirmed as league leaders and Higginshaw following in second.
In Division 5, Ashton Bears A have secured top spot in style with a perfect 100% record – following suit from their Premier Division counterparts in making it a memorable year for the club.
Runcorn and Wigan Spring View A are in second and third respectively, but this is a battle that could come down to when the sides meet on the final day of the season next week…
Looking ahead to what is set to be an enthralling few weeks of Community Rugby League, the RFL’s Community Game Competition Manager, Tim White, said: “As we approach the last couple of rounds of the season, it is exciting to see that there is still a lot to be determined in both competitions as we look forward to the play-offs starting on the 17th September.
“For many teams it has been a tough season, as we continue to manage the challenges impacting the open age game following the pandemic. We are hoping to finish both competitions on a high note as we approach the business end of the season, culminating with the play-off finals across two days, on the 1st and 2nd October.
“The Yorkshire Men’s League event will be hosted by Batley Bulldogs at the Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, whilst the North West Men’s League event will be hosted by Latchford Albion, at Victoria Park in Warrington – bring it on!”
