Waterhead Warriors are growing into the season and ready for another crack at Thatto Heath

Waterhead Warriors head to Close Street this weekend sitting third in the National Leagues' Premier Division, a position that felt a long way off during those early, first scratchy weeks of the season. But rugby league seasons have a habit of turning quickly, and right now Jon Perks’ side look like a team that’s settled, confident, and carrying a bit of swagger again.

Perks admits the start wasn’t ideal. “We’ve gone on a little bit of a run just recently after a bit of a shaky start to the season...I think we’ve sort of found our feet over the last few weeks.”

And when you look back, it’s no surprise things took time. They were missing bodies. They’d lost Phil Joy and Danny Bridge - two huge figures in recent years - and Jenson Hamilton was off in Australia. “When you’re losing players of that calibre, it’s going to be hard to replace,” Perks said. Add in injuries to Keegan Brennan and James Perks, plus the Challenge Cup landing on them before they’d even had a proper off season, and Waterhead were running uphill from the first whistle.

For years Waterhead has also backed its younger players, and those early lessons have hardened them. “They’re going to find it hard at first, but I think they’ve found their feet and they’re going really well at the moment.”

You can see it in the results. Putting 60 on Wath Brow. Winning at Hunslet. Digging in to beat Siddal. These aren’t flukes - they’re the signs of a side that’s grown into the division and learned how to stay in the grind.

Perks points to the Thatto Heath defeat earlier in the year as a bit of a jolt. “It’s probably the only time we’ve questioned where they’re at…and whether they really want it.” The response since then has been everything a coach wants to see, and now there is form on the board in six straight wins.

Last year’s play off exit against Thatto Heath still lingers. Waterhead played some brilliant rugby, but the established Premier Division sides - Siddal, West Hull, Thatto, they know how to stay in games and punish lapses. “They just don’t go away…you can play so well, but before you know it, you’re 12, 18 points behind.”

So Waterhead have adapted. “We’ve learned to play a little bit of a different way this year…a little bit more patient and concentrating more defensively.”

It’s showing. The win at Hunslet - third versus fourth - was described by Perks as “quite ruthless,” and that’s the word that’s followed Waterhead around for the last couple of seasons. It’s returning at the right time.

The squad is in decent shape heading into the weekend, with only Callum Murphy still unavailable due to work. And the club has quietly added well. Tyrone Chipchase and Jimmy Shields both approached Waterhead off their own bat - a sign of the reputation the club has built.

Chipchase messaged after watching them play: “I’ve watched your brand of rugby and I think I can add to you", he told the club. Shields, released by Swinton, lives nearby and simply asked if he could come up and train. Both have slotted straight in.

That doesn’t happen by accident. “We’ve created an environment where lads who’ve played at a decent level have wanted to come back,” Perks said. It’s a club that feels like home - and players talk.

So here we are again, at the start of the second half of the season: Thatto Heath away. Fifth hosting third. A proper Premier Division fixture.

Thatto taught Waterhead a lesson earlier in the year. “They just did the basics really well…they know how to win games of rugby.”

And they always will.

Perks is relishing what lies ahead. “It’s always a good game…we’ll look forward to it.”

Saturday 20 June – NCRL National League fixtures

Premier Division

Heworth v Wigan St Judes

Rochdale Mayfield v Siddal

Thatto Heath Crusaders v Waterhead Warriors

Wath Brow Hornets v West Bowling

West Hull v Lock Lane

York Acorn v Hunslet ARLFC

Division One

Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Kells

East Leeds v Dewsbury Celtic

Leigh Miners Rangers v Oldham St Annes

Oulton Raiders v Wigan St Patricks

Pilkington Recs v Shaw Cross Sharks

Stanningley v Egremont Rangers

National Conference

Cumbria

Distington v Ulverston

Hindpool Tigers v Barrow Island

Millom v Hensingham

Seaton Rangers v Dalton

North West

Blackbrook v Saddleworth Rangers

Clock Face Miners v Ashton Bears

Crosfields v Leigh East

Woolston Rovers v Orrell St James

South

Brentwood Eels v London Chargers

North Herts Crusaders v Bedford Tigers

Hammersmith Hill Hoists v Wests Warriors

Yorkshire A

Beverley v King Cross Park

Keighley Albion v Bradford Dudley Hill

Myton Warriors v Mirfield Spartans

Stanley Rangers v Moldgreen

Thornhill Trojans v Drighlington

Yorkshire B

Bentley v Hull Dockers

Fryston Warriors v Normanton Knights

Milford v Kippax Welfare

Newsome Panthers v Skirlaugh

Siddal Academy v Featherstone Lions

By Dave Parkinson