Ince Rose Bridge are gearing up for a mouth-watering BARLA National Cup Semi-Final derby this Friday evening as they head to Twist Lane to take on local rivals Leigh Miners Rangers (K.O. 7:30pm).
The clash comes hot on the heels of a hard-fought 26-16 victory over Fryston Warriors - a result that secured their progression in knockout rugby to the Cross Conference Play-off semi-finals following a fierce battle on the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Rose Bridge forward Jack Morrison was candid about the physical nature of the Fryston contest:
"Scrappy game... both physical, dirty, grubby - I'll just leave it as that, I think."
While the contest turned into a battle of attrition, Morrison and the Rose Bridge pack set the platform early, making major yards down the middle to put Fryston on the back foot.
"I don't know, it's just my job, isn't it? Done it all my career. So, just another day in the office for me, really." He said when reflecting on his own performance.
Despite being dragged into a scrappy affair at times, Rose Bridge produced moments of genuine quality, particularly out wide through giant winger Callum Hughes, who scored a hat-trick of tries.
"It was tough, but there were some class tries that we scored in that game as well," Morrison noted. "Us middle lads put these lot in position for him. We've got to dig deep and get these on the front foot. But like I said, he's about 6ft 4 or 6ft 5, isn't he? There's not many people going outjumping him. He's fast, a danger... but overall performance, I think we've done all right."
The victory caps off an impressive mid-season turnaround for Rose Bridge. After reaching a playoff final last year, the side endured a stuttering start to the current campaign - including a difficult patch through the middle of the season.
"At the beginning of the season, I think some lads took it for granted," Morrison admitted. "I think all of us have had a bit of a reality check now and turned up for each other. Going back to where we were last year, I think that's the best way I can explain it."
Now, attention turns fully to Friday night's blockbuster under the lights at Twist Lane against Leigh Miners Rangers, after the fixture was previously postponed in August due to the dry weather and a baked pitch.
For Morrison and many in the squad, taking part in a prestigious BARLA National Cup run is a rare and valued opportunity.
"I've not played in the National Cup since I was 18, and I don't think our open age team have been in it for probably longer than that," Morrison explained. "As a club, that's what we want - to go and get the win and get to that final. It's knockout rugby: you lose, it's done, but you win and it rolls on and rolls on."
"We know what we want to do. We know we've still got a few better performances in us than we just had there today. We got dragged down into their game, which we didn't need to do, but we just need to turn up and play our game. And that's what's going to be needed on Friday."
With local pride and a place in the BARLA Cup final on the line, Friday's 7:30pm kick-off at Twist Lane promises to be an unmissable clash for local amateur rugby league fans.
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am RL
