From Yorkshire Men's League to the Play-Offs knock out stage: Newsome Panthers continue their rise

Newsome Panthers passed a stern test of their character and credentials with a hard-fought Play-Off victory over Blackbrook - a performance that served as the latest proof of a club undergoing what looks like a meteoric, unstoppable ascent through amateur rugby league ranks.

In just six years, the Huddersfield outfit has engineered a phenomenal transformation, surging from the bottom tier of Division Four in the Yorkshire Men's League to locking horns with previously established National Conference League (NCL) heavyweights.

Standing in for head coach and Huddersfield star Harry Rushton, alongside Dylan Knowles, player Rob Denton admitted to feeling the intensity from the touchline during a tense second-half battle.

"I’m sweating, my heart’s pounding out of my chest," Denton said after the match. "I think coaching is harder than playing - you can't dictate what's going on. We had a couple of tough games this year where the other team got on top of us, but we just stuck together and ground it out. It showed today that when it gets tough, we can grind out a win."

Coming off a disappointing defeat to local rivals Mirfield the previous week, Newsome knew an immediate response was required against a Blackbrook side sitting top of their playoff group. The Panthers set the tone early with a sharp, high-energy opening spell before showing the sheer resilience that suggest they could go further.

"A big key was high energy and a better attitude, which let us down last week," Denton explained. "Blackbrook played some good rugby at us and got on top in the second half - they were running harder, getting quick plays-of-the-ball, and their shape was pulling off. But we just ground it out in the end and stuck together."

Key to Newsome’s performance was dynamic young half-back Max Fleary, son of former Keighley, Leeds, Huddersfield and Leigh star Darren, who directed the attack with maturity beyond his years. Playing behind a missing contingent of senior figures, Fleary leaned on forward strike weapons like Jack Clifford to set the platform.

"Max is quality," Denton noted. "We were missing a few experienced lads, so we just said play to his strengths. His strengths today were his back-rowers as running threats. All of us stuck together, ran hard, got quick play-of-the-balls, and got it to his strike men as quick as possible. Max showed what he could do."

Victory this weekend could mark a defining milestone in Newsome's rapid evolution. Having dominated local competition for seasons, the club's long-held ambition was always to break into the NCL framework.

Now, following the recent NRCL restructuring, they are actively thriving against storied opposition like Featherstone Lions and Skirlaugh - and proving they deserve a shot at National level.

What makes this surge even more impressive is the age of the squad driving it. Boasting an average age of just 21, the young side are embracing the demands of the Cross-Conference competition and long-distance bus trips across Lancashire and Cumbria.

"It’s been quality," Denton said, reflecting on their journey. "The NCL was always the aim for us when we first started back after Covid. Even in the Yorkshire Men's, in the space of six years, we've gone from Division Four, Division Two, Premier Division, and now we're here playing the likes of Blackbrook and going on bus trips. It's good fun to see what the boys in the North West are about."

While promotion to Division One was not explicitly set as a preseason target, the club’s growth - supported off the pitch by a hard-working committee - has opened up big possibilities for a fearless young roster.

"We’ve got some young lads in that team like Max and Joe Sanderson who really should be playing at that level," Denton added. "As older lads, we just need to nurture them through, protect them on the field, and let them do their thing. Eventually, that’s where we want to be - in Division One and pushing as hard as we can."

Newsome Panthers now face their toughest test of the season on Saturday when they travel to Orrell St James in the Cross Conference Play-Off Quarter Finals (K.O. 2:30pm).

By Ste Beech

Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am Community RL