West Hull step into Saturday’s BARLA National Cup semi final against Featherstone Lions on the back of a 36-10 win at Waterhead that told Ryan Steen plenty about where his side are mentally and physically at this stage of the season.
The scoreline looked emphatic, but Steen was quick to point out the graft behind it. “It was a game of two halves,” he said. “We struggled early on, gave them too many yardage errors and penalties, but once we fixed the easy get outs and got some field position, we knew we’d score points ourselves.”
That shift, the ability to move away from teams, from scrappy periods back to controlled, is becoming a hallmark of this West Hull team. Steen spoke repeatedly about attitude, about the internal drive that has carried them through almost a full year unbeaten against fellow community opposition. “Half the time it’s who’s got that fight in the belly,” he said. “Who’s got the effort and desire to stand up for their mate. We had that today in abundance.” It’s a simple message, but it’s stitched into everything they do.
The tactical discipline was there too. West Hull’s end of set kicking game, their “cage finishes”, pinned Waterhead in the corners and forced them into long, draining carries. Steen praised captain Josh Wood for leading that effort: “Josh was excellent - they had to keep coming back from the corners all day. As a coach, you value that because it’s a long way back upfield.” It’s the kind of detail that has defined their season, and the kind of detail that will matter again this weekend.
Steen also framed the Waterhead win within the wider context of their unbeaten run. “Every away game in the NCRL is tough,” he said. “Top or bottom, they’re all batting away this time of year.” He’s honest about the mental challenge of being the team everyone wants to knock off, and equally honest about his own development. “I’m a young coach and still learning,” he said. “That loss at York Acorn last year taught me a lot.” Since then, West Hull have found proper consistency.
Part of their identity this year is the blend of experience and youth. Steen has used when able to play in the National Cup an opportunity to keep momentum and game time high, but also to blood emerging talent. “We threw two 17 year olds in at Crosfields — they did a great job,” he said. “Keeping that progression line of talent is really important. These lads aren’t going to be here forever.” It’s a reminder that West Hull aren’t just winning now, they’re building for the future.
And now the Cup run reaches its biggest moment yet. Featherstone Lions arrive on Saturday knowing they’re facing a side with rhythm, belief and a strong sense of who they are. Steen sees the competition as more than a side quest: “We want to be in the big games and challenging for finals,” he said. “Hopefully it’s another final come October.” The Cup has history, prestige and meaning for the club, and Steen is determined to keep that alive. “They were good days,” he said of past finals. “Good days for the families as well as the lads.”
Featherstone will bring physicality, and plenty of threat with several ex professional players in their ranks, but West Hull will back their systems, discipline and their togetherness. The Waterhead win showed they can absorb pressure, fix problems on the run and take control of a game. It also showed that when they get into the right areas of the field, they have the quality to turn pressure into points.
Saturday’s semi final at home is an opportunity, not just to reach another final, but to reinforce everything they’ve built across the last twelve months. Steen’s side are grounded, hungry and fully aware of the challenge ahead, but they’re also confident in their own standards. As he put it simply: “Days like this are why we do it.”
The other semi final between Leigh Miners Rangers and Ince Rose Bridge has been postponed due to a sunbaked pitch and will be rearranged, while the same fate has also befallen Blackbrook v Hunslet ARLFC in the 1973 Cup.
Fixtures
Sat 15 August 2026
Premier Division
Heworth vs Thatto Heath Crusaders - 14:30
Lock Lane vs Siddal - 15:15 @ Castleford Tigers
Division One
Dewsbury Moor Maroons vs Wigan St Patricks - 14:30
Shaw Cross Sharks vs Dewsbury Celtic - 14:30
National Conference – Yorkshire A
Thornhill Trojans vs Keighley Albion - 14:30
Bradford Dudley Hill vs Stanley Rangers - 14:30
Mirfield Spartans vs Moldgreen - 14:30
National Conference – Yorkshire B
Hull Dockers vs Bentley - 14:30
Siddal Academy vs Fryston Warriors - 14:30
Kippax Welfare vs Normanton Knights - 14:30
National Conference – North West
Clock Face Miners vs Ashton Bears - 14:30
National Conference – Cumbria
Ulverston vs Barrow Island - 14:00
Ellenborough vs Dalton - 14:30
BARLA National Cup
West Hull vs Featherstone Lions - 14:30
