The stage is well and truly set. With autumn in the air, the community game reaches its conclusion - and all roads lead to Bartercard Odsal Stadium this Saturday, 17th October, for the inaugural Cross Conference Championship and Shield Finals Day.
If last weekend’s semi-final dramas at Ruskin Drive and Victoria Park were anything to go by, Bradford is in for an absolute treat.
The Shield Showdown: Bears meet Warriors (KO 12pm)
Proceedings get underway at noon with the inaugural Shield Final, contested between Ashton Bears and Myton Warriors.
Ashton carved out a gritty, hard-earned 12-8 victory over Kippax Welfare last time out, and have hit top form in recent weeks, showing the kind of defensive steel that wins big games.
Waiting for them are Myton Warriors, the former NCL side have also been in good touch recently and came through an absolute thriller, edging out Milford 18-16.
Expect both sides to leave everything out on the famous Bradford turf as they look to etch their names on the first trophy of the day.
The Main Event: Ince face Blackbrook (KO 3pm)
Then, at 3pm, the heavyweight clash of the Cross Conference Championship takes centre stage as Ince Rose Bridge lock horns with Blackbrook.
Ince booked their ticket in impressive fashion, overcoming Featherstone Lions 34-18.
Catching up with Ince talisman Kieron Eccleston after the game, he admitted conditions were tough going on a pitch that was starting to cut up:
"It was really boggy. We found it hard to get a bit of momentum and play on our edges where we get a lot of success, so again I think that suited them (Featherstone). But hat's off to where it's at, and our nine especially - I thought Byron Aspinall was outstanding, and before he got injured, he got us out of trouble a couple of times. He does it week in, week out. There's a reason he's up for player-of-the-year for the competition."
Eccleston, who had previously considered calling time on his career, looks in some of his best form for years after bagging a solo try:
"I didn't know whether I was going to carry on again. I fell out of love with the game for probably the last couple of years, put a bit of weight on playing in the halves and I wasn't enjoying it, mate. But in the off-season, I've just got myself fit and I feel good for it. I feel better than I've ever felt, really."
Looking ahead to facing Blackbrook, Eccleston knows past regular season encounters count for little once silverware is on the line:
"We played them early on and they pipped us at our place, but we were going through a bit of a bad patch. Then we played them last game of the season where we had a few bodies missing and we managed to pick them back at their place. But we also played them in the National Cup as well and we put a big score on them.
“But like I say, it's a final. Anything can happen in a final. They've got some really good players, especially probably the full-back and centre. So, we'll be looking to keep them quiet. If we can keep them quiet, I think we've got a good chance of winning the game."
On the other side stand Blackbrook, who came through a close semi-final against Orrell St James to triumph 14-12. Reflecting on the match as a spectacle, Blackbrook boss Paul Gartland admitted it was a testing affair influenced by the elements:
"I thought the game was a bit scratchy at times, but I think the weather had a lot to do with that. And for both teams, both teams probably like to play a little bit. Maybe they were both limited on what they could do with ball in hand. But yeah, we were good in parts of the game, and then we were very average in others, I thought."
Assessing how far his squad has come after conquering the division, Gartland added:
"I think ourselves and Orrell coming from the North West Counties as it was have probably put a good show on this season.
“Every player who's played today for us has played a minimum of six or seven games this season, a minimum. So, we have no excuses about the 17 that we've pulled out at all."
NCRL Play-Offs: The Road to Wakefield
While Odsal crowns its champions this weekend, the race for the NCRL Premier Division and Division One titles is hurtling toward the Grand Finals Day at Wakefield on 24th October.
Premier Division Play-Offs
Last weekend's preliminary action delivered statement results across the board.
Waterhead put on a dominant display, crushing Wath Brow Hornets 34-8.
Siddal showed immense grit to pull off an impressive 30-22 away victory over Thatto Heath.
This weekend’s Semi-Finals:
League leaders West Hull host Siddal in a heavyweight clash.
Second-placed Hunslet ARLFC welcome a surging Waterhead side looking for another upset.
Division One Play-Offs:
Oulton Raiders produced the surprise of the round, traveling to Dewsbury Moor Maroons to claim a superb 22-6 win.
A depleted Egremont Rangers side ran into a white-hot East Leeds outfit, falling to a heavy 72-0 defeat.
This weekend's Semi-Finals:
League leaders Dewsbury Celtic—already promoted regardless of result—take on the surprise package Oulton Raiders.
Kells host East Leeds at The Welfare in what promises to be a very different contest from East Leeds' previous visit.
Grab your coat, get yourself down to Odsal, follow your local side and enjoy what promises to be a sensational afternoon of community rugby league!
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro-Am Community RL
