North West Men’s League | 2026 Cup Finals Day Round Up & Season Run-In

Portico Vine in St Helens hosted the North West Men’s League Cup Finals on Saturday 15th August and it couldn’t have provided any more excitement. 

The opening game saw Oldham St Annes A take an early 16-0 lead over Hindley Stags Reserves, but a see saw battle ended with the Stags being victorious at 38-24, with the Hindley Full Back, Anthony Hart, claiming Player of the Match. 

The second fixture was another tight affair, with Golborne Parkside two  points up with ten minutes to go. Westhoughton Lions had a try in the corner ruled out for a knock on over the line on 72 minutes, before taking the lead on 77 minutes with a try directly from the scrum. A successful conversion took the score to 20-18, which is how it finished. 

In the final game of the day, Folly Lane and Hindley Stags did battle, the top two teams in the NWML Premier Division. Despite a one sided result in the League a week earlier, both teams played their part in putting on a show.  

Folly had the lead from the 11th up until the 71st minute, but Hindley, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season, overturned the deficit with a try in the final nine minutes. They sealed the win with another try at the death to double their silverware haul for the day, with a 24-16 victory. 

All three games can be rewatched here.

Following on from the Cup Finals, we now turn our attention back to the League and the final rounds before the Play-Offs and Grand Finals. 

In the Premier Division, Hindley Stags have already secured the League Leaders' Shield, whilst Folly Lane have also guaranteed themselves a spot in the Play-Offs.

However, four further teams are fighting to claim the remaining two places - West Bank Bears, Chorley Panthers, Halton Farnworth Hornets, and Shevington Sharks. 

Whilst the top four has already been confirmed in Division 1, Salford City Roosters and Garswood Stags are taking it down to the wire when it comes to being crowned League Leaders.

Garswood are currently just one point behind their rivals, so it is anyone’s guess who will finish in first place.  

Newton Storm and Golborne Parkside are battling for third place, with the teams facing off against each other in the final round on Saturday 5th September. 

Finally, in Division 2, Thatto Heath Crusaders Academy are so far unbeaten in the League and have sealed their place at the top, but they will be joined by Saddleworth Rangers A, Latchford Albion Giants, and Portico Vine in the Play-Offs, with the winners progressing to the Grand Finals Day, held at Victoria Park in Warrington, on Saturday 26th September.