THE battle for inclusion in next year’s National League Division One in 2027 begins in earnest on Saturday (September 5), when the Cross-Conference play-offs (CCPOs) begin.
Sixteen teams will be vying for a place in the Grand Final, which will be played at Bartercard Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday, October 17.
The CCPOs involve the sides closing in the top four positions in each of the northern-based National Conference Leagues.
Group fixtures will continue on September 12 and 19, and the top two sides in each group will contest the quarter-finals on Saturday 26.
The semi-finals will take place at Victoria Park, Warrington, on Saturday, October 10.
Group A comprises North West champions Orrell St James, Hensingham (who finished second in the Cumbrian table), Moldgreen (who closed at third in Yorkshire A) and Fryston Warriors, who were fourth in Yorkshire B.
Cumbria champions Dalton are in Group B alongside Yorkshire A runners-up Mirfield, Newsome Panthers (who were third in Yorkshire B) and the side who closed at fourth in the North West, Blackbrook.
Group C features Yorkshire A table-toppers Keighley Albion together with Skirlaugh (second in Yorkshire B), Saddleworth Rangers (the third-placed North West club) and Distington, who occupied fourth position in Cumbria.
Yorkshire B champions Featherstone Lions are in Group D and will be jostling with North West runners-up Ince Rose Bridge, Barrow Island (who finished third in Cumbria) and Thornhill Trojans, who were fourth in Yorkshire A.
Sides who closed in the bottom halves of the various northern Conferences can contest the Shield.
The final will be played as part of a double-header with the Cross-Conference decider at Odsal. The semi-finals will be hosted by Pilkington Recs on Saturday, October 10.
The Rugby Football League competition manager Tim White told clubs, early on Sunday morning: “In the Championship CCPOs, each team will play the other three teams in its group once.
“In Shield Groups A–F, each team will play one home fixture and one away fixture, with a bye on the remaining weekend.
“Following a withdrawal from Shield Group G, Millom and Drighlington will play each other home and away. Please let us know as soon as possible if you identify any issues or have any questions.”
Teams who have contested the Conference regions in 2026 but are not named in either the CCPOs or the Shield include Cumbrian outfits Hindpool and Ulverston, and Siddal Academy of Yorkshire B.
Saturday 5 September
CROSS-CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS
GROUP A: Moldgreen v Orrell St James; Hensingham v Fryston Warriors.
GROUP B: Newsome Panthers v Dalton; Mirfield Spartans v Blackbrook.
GROUP C: Saddleworth Rangers v Keighley Albion; Skirlaugh v Distington.
GROUP D: Barrow Island v Featherstone Lions; Ince Rose Bridge v Thornhill Trojans.
SHIELD: Crosfields v Normanton Knights; Ashton Bears v Hull Dockers; Maryport v Stanley Rangers; Milford v Beverley; Bradford Dudley Hill v Seaton Rangers; Myton Warriors v Woolston Rovers; Drighlington v Millom.
Saturday 12 September
CROSS-CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS
GROUP A: Orrell St James v Fryston Warriors; Hensingham v Moldgreen.
GROUP B: Dalton v Blackbrook; Mirfield Spartans v Newsome Panthers.
GROUP C: Keighley Albion v Distington; Skirlaugh v Saddleworth Rangers.
GROUP D: Featherstone Lions v Thornhill Trojans; Ince Rose Bridge v Barrow Island.
SHIELD: Ellenborough Rangers v Crosfields; King Cross Park v Ashton Bears; Clock Face Miners v Maryport; Leigh East v Milford; Kippax Welfare v Bradford Dudley Hill; Bentley v Myton Warriors; Millom v Drighlington.
Saturday 19 September
CROSS-CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS
GROUP A: Orrell St James v Hensingham; Fryston Warriors v Moldgreen.
GROUP B: Dalton v Mirfield Spartans; Blackbrook v Newsome Panthers.
GROUP C: Keighley Albion v Skirlaugh; Distington v Saddleworth Rangers.
GROUP D: Featherstone Lions v Ince Rose Bridge; Thornhill Trojans v Barrow Island.
SHIELD: Normanton Knights v Ellenborough Rangers; Hull Dockers v King Cross Park; Stanley Rangers v Clock Face Miners; Beverley v Leigh East; Seaton Rangers v Kippax Welfare; Woolston Rovers v Bentley.