I’VE described Sunday’s BARLA National Cup final in my preview as a ‘David and Goliath’ contest.
It’s a cliché, but it’s true (clichés usually are).
The sides squaring up at the Millennium Stadium, Featherstone on Sunday are from quite different levels of the amateur game.
Orrell St James have not only topped the North West Men’s League but have also snared that competition’s Top Four Play-Off and Cup trophies.
The Saints, moreover, were runners-up last year, which I’m sure will prove to have been a valuable experience going into the 2025 decider.
By contrast, Brighouse Rangers finished mid-table in the Yorkshire Men’s League First Division (which is actually the second tier) and, on that basis, should surely have next to no chance.
I don’t buy into that received wisdom. Once the game starts (prepare for another of my favourite clichés), it will be 13 against 13, and anything can happen (even if it didn’t at Wembley two days ago).
Moreover Rangers have, historically, a very fine pedigree indeed, having been one of the 22 clubs who decided, in August 1895, to break away from the Rugby Football Union and form the Northern Union.
That is a very proud thing to have in the memory bank and while I fully accept that it will mean nothing come kick-off in six days’ time, as a respecter of history, it certainly means something to me (and I hope it will mean something to Brighouse’s players). We’ll see about that at 2.00pm this Sunday.
Perhaps of more relevance is the fact that Adam Hirst, who coaches Rangers alongside Rob Butterworth, is adamant that his side are much better than their league status would suggest, and that if Brighouse had managed to be at full strength throughout the campaign (something that’s an issue for most teams in the summer era, in truth) they would have easily topped their section.
All in all, I’m looking forward to this final as much as I’ve looked forward to any in recent years.
Both Brighouse and Orrell are fine clubs (I can vouch for the succulence of Rangers’ post-match pies, incidentally, although I’ve not been there for a few years now) and perhaps a key factor will be how St James approach the contest.
Certainly, their head coach Sean McHugh is proud of the way that, under his stewardship alongside that superb former professional Chris Dean, Orrell’s players take nothing for granted, treat all opponents with due and proper respect, and focus on their own performances.
It all adds up to an intriguing occasion. And it might be that both camps will reflect on the 2000-01 BARLA Yorkshire Cup final, when rank outsiders Lindley Swifts scuttled hot favourites Hunslet Warriors.
Could something similar happen a quarter of a century on? We’ll see. As always, I strongly recommend that grassroots Rugby League fans get to Featherstone in good time for the 2.00pm kick off – and don’t forget that entry is by cash at just a fiver (three quid concessions, and under 16s get in for nowt).
The previous day, the Cwpan Sialans Cadair Olwyn (Welsh for Wheelchair Cup final) will be played at the Caerphilly Leisure Centre, with Torfaen Tigers and North Wales Crusaders kicking off at 11.30am.
This should be yet another thriller, while Wales RL media manager Ian Golden pointed out to me last Friday that the teams will be playing on the very spot where Lindsay Whittle, of Plaid Cymru, was announced as the winner of what could prove to be a historic by-election victory just hours earlier. Phew!
If there’s any diversion that offers more rough-and-tumble than Rugby League it’s probably politics (including, I might venture, Rugby League politics).
Other than, of course, war. Simon Weston is universally hailed as a hero, through his reaction to injuries sustained in the Falklands war, and it’s so good to report on a Welsh Rugby League side playing in his honour at the weekend (against Wales A at Neath). Long may this particular side continue.
Finally I now have full details, which came through too late for publication in last Monday’s issue, of the funeral of Judy Mawson, who passed away on Monday, October 13.
Judy, the wife of Hunslet ARLFC’s indefatigable chair Dave Mawson, will be laid to rest at Cottingley Hall Crematorium, Ring Road, Beeston, Leeds LS11 0EU on Wednesday (October 29) at 10.00am.
Mourners are invited to celebrate her life afterwards at the Belle Isle WMC, Belle Isle Road, Leeds LS10 3PE.
May Judy rest in peace.