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National Conference Rugby League: Tension Mounts As Season Heads Into Penultimate Rounds

By Robert Haile

The National Conference Leagues enters its final rounds and sides will be looking to finish on a high.

In the Premier Division on Saturday, August 26, Rochdale Mayfield moved into third place with a 76-18 win against Wigan St Patricks.

Hunslet ARLFC host Kells on Saturday, September 2, as the penultimate round of games take place knowing a win would practically give them the Division title due to their points difference to West Hull.

Second place West Hull will want a big win when they welcome Lock Lane and Rochdale Mayfield will defend third against fourth placed Wath Brow Hornets.

In the battle for the playoff places Thatto Heath Crusaders face York Acorn as the pair look to take advantage of any slip up from Lock Lane.

Siddal head to Leigh Miners Rangers and two wins from their final games could see them snatch a playoff place while Wigan St Patricks play Hull Dockers.

Premier Division Results

Rochdale Mayfield 76-18 Wigan St Patricks

Premier Division Table

  1. Hunslet ARLFC – 34
  2. West Hull – 32
  3. Rochdale Mayfield – 30
  4. Wath Brow Hornets – 29
  5. York Acorn – 19
  6. Lock Lane – 19
  7. Thatto Heath Crusaders – 18
  8. Siddal – 17
  9. Kells – 16
  10. R – Leigh Miners Rangers – 10
  11. R – Hull Dockers – 8
  12. R – Wigan St Patricks – 6

Division One returns after a weekend off on Saturday, September 2, and Heworth’s clash with Egremont Rangers is on the OURLEAGUE with a win for Rangers guaranteeing promotion.

Clock Face Miners play Ince Rose Bridge, Crosfields host Oulton Raiders, Stanningley head to Pilkington Recs and West Bowling take on Skirlaugh.

Division One Results

Thornhill Trojans 14-46 Crosfields

Pilkington Recs 12-26 Clock Face Miners

Skirlaugh 6-42 Egremont Rangers

Oulton Raiders 30-22 West Bowling

Ince Rose Bridge 8-28 Stanningley

Division One Table

  1. C – West Bowling – 32
  2. Egremont Rangers – 28
  3. Heworth – 26
  4. Stanningley – 21
  5. Oulton Raiders – 21
  6. Skirlaugh – 20
  7. Clock Face Miners – 17
  8. Crosfields – 16
  9. Ince Rose Bridge – 11
  10. Pilkington Recs – 7
  11. R – Thornhill Trojans – 1

In Division Two there was just the one game on Saturday, August 26, as Woolston Rovers lost 18-20 to Dewsbury Moor Maroons.

Two games took place on Tuesday, August 29, as league champions Waterhead Warriors won 24-28 at Normanton Knights and Saddleworth Rangers beat Shaw Cross Sharks 34-28.

Division Two kicks off its final rounds on Saturday, September 2, as Barrow Island host Woolston Rovers, Dewsbury Moor Maroons take on East Leeds, Myton Warriors face Saddleworth Rangers and Normanton Kights play Dewsbury Celtic.

Waterhead Warriors welcome Wigan St Judes and Shaw Cross Sharks host Milford.

Division Two Results

Woolston Rovers 18-20 Dewsbury Moor Maroons

Normanton Knights 24-28 Waterhead Warriors

Saddleworth Rangers 34-28 Shaw Cross Sharks

Division Two Table

  1. C – Waterhead Warriors – 38
  2. Dewsbury Moor Maroons – 30
  3. Shaw Cross Sharks – 25
  4. Woolston Rovers – 22
  5. Wigan St Judes – 20
  6. Barrow Island – 19
  7. Dewsbury Celtic – 18
  8. Normanton Knights – 17
  9. Saddleworth Rangers – 16
  10. Myton Warriors – 15
  11. R – Milford – 10
  12. R – East Leeds – 6

In Division Three Bentley finished off their season with a 26-26 draw at home to Drighlington on Saturday, August 26.

Drighlington play their penultimate game at home to Eastmoor Dragons on Friday, September 1, while Seaton Rangers and Hensingham face off on Saturday, September 2 in the final Cumbrian Derby of the season.

Division Three Results

Bentley 26-26 Drighlington

Division Three Table

  1. C – Oldham St Annes – 28
  2. P – Ellenborough – 28
  3. Millom – 26
  4. Leigh East – 26
  5. Beverley – 15
  6. Bentley – 15
  7. Drighlington – 13
  8. Eastmoor Dragons – 12
  9. Hensingham – 7
  10. Seaton Rangers – 4