The inaugural National Leagues season has now come to an end, with teams moving into the Play-Offs, which will ultimately see the top two earn promotion.
In Cumbria, Dalton topped the table after losing just once all season, with pre-season favourites Hensingham finishing runners-up. Dalton also had the region’s top try scorer, Thomas Ferron, who crossed 28 times in just 12 appearances. Hensingham’s Dylan Bragg finished as the top points scorer with 217 points, made up of 12 tries, 84 goals and one drop goal.
The North West produced an intriguing battle between two of the region’s heavyweights, with Orrell St James eventually taking the title ahead of Wigan neighbours Ince Rose Bridge. Ince did, however, take three points from Orrell in their two meetings during the season. Ince Rose Bridge’s Calum Hughes finished as the region’s top try scorer with 13.
Keighley Albion claimed the Yorkshire A title on the final day of the season. Moldgreen were unbeaten for a long spell and remained in contention, but it was Mirfield Spartans who eventually secured the runners-up spot. Mirfield’s Lewis Toner was the region’s top try scorer with 23.
Yorkshire B proved particularly competitive, with Featherstone Lions eventually taking the title after recording 15 wins. Skirlaugh finished just one point behind, with Newsome Panthers a further point back in third. Newsome’s Robert Denton finished as the region’s top try scorer.
The South also produced a close three-way battle. Bedford Tigers led the table for much of the season, but it was Hammersmith Hills Hoists who eventually came out on top, with Wests Warriors finishing second and Bedford taking third.
Congratulations and thank you to all the teams who have competed in the inaugural National League Conference season, and particularly to the regional winners on securing their respective titles.
Attention now turns to the Play-Offs as the leading teams from across the Conference compete for the two promotion places.
