WEST HULL – the winners of the inaugural League Leaders’ Shield – will host Siddal on Saturday in the PREMIER DIVISION’S qualifying semi-finals, and second-placed Hunslet ARLFC will entertain Waterhead Warriors, with the four sides all targeting a berth in the Grand Final at Wakefield Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium on Saturday, October 24.

SIDDAL, who finished fifth and were table toppers in each of the last two seasons of the National Conference League (losing the Grand Finals to Hunslet ARLFC in 2024 and West Hull in 2025 respectively) illustrated their pedigree with a 30-22 triumph at THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS, who closed at fourth.

Jamie Greenwood, who converted all of his side’s touchdowns, was arguably the match-winner in a game in which both teams scored five tries, the Crusaders’ goalkicker Ryan Houghton hitting the target just once. 

Greenwood also scored the game’s opening try, on five minutes, with Thatto’s Adam Saunders responding some five minutes later. 

Siddal, who had completed the league ‘double’ over the Heath, winning 22-8 in Halifax and 28-12 in St Helens, were 18-4 ahead at the break through touchdowns for Ben Hinsley and Canaan Smithies.

Josh Milnes clattered in three minutes after the restart to help establish a 20-point cushion.

That buffer was needed as Thatto roared back to within six points.

Callum Gregory sparked the rally on 50 minutes – Houghton landing the goal – and Jake Dickinson dotted down on the hour.

Alex Speakman reduced the arrears to 24-18 in the 63rd minute but Siddal effectively sealed victory when Henry Turner crossed with five minutes left, rendering Speakman’s second score little more than a consolation effort.

WATERHEAD WARRIORS, who closed at third in the standings, are 80 minutes away from a place in the spotlight after beating visitors WATH BROW HORNETS, who fetched up in sixth spot, 34-8.

Hornets, who had lost the league game at Waterhead 60-10 and had been defeated in Cumbria 34-18, enjoyed a bright start when Morgan McCourt crossed in the fourth minute and Sam Curwen added the extras. 

That was how it stayed until the 24th minute, when Adam Robinson replied for the Warriors and Kegan Brennan improved.

However, in an exhilarating eight-minute spell, Waterhead went ten points clear with a touchdown on the half-hour for Gareth Owen followed by a quickfire try by Brennan, who converted Owen’s effort. 

Wath Brow pegged the Oldham outfit back to eight points at the break with Curwen’s late penalty but the second period belonged firmly to the Warriors, who posted three unanswered touchdowns.

Phil Joy grabbed the first, seven minutes after the restart, and Vinnie Arthurs dotted down as the hour-mark beckoned. And a memorable victory was wrapped up when Harrison Dodd raced over in the closing seconds and Brennan landed his fifth conversion.

OULTON RAIDERS, who were only granted inclusion in DIVISION ONE when Ince Rose Bridge opted to switch to the National Conference North West prior to the start of the season, could yet pull off the incredible feat of gaining promotion to the top-flight.

The Raiders, who snared the lowest spot in the top-six play-offs, won their ELIMINATION SEMI-FINAL clash at DEWSBURY MOOR MAROONS (who finished third) 22-6 to book a Qualifying semi-final tie on Saturday at champions Dewsbury Celtic.

The Maroons, who had beaten Oulton 24-16 at home in the league but had lost 30-10 in Leeds, enjoyed a promising start when Ryan Crossley popped over in the fifth minute and Louie Walker converted.

That, however, proved to be their last acquaintance with the scoreboard. 

Oulton opened their account some seven minutes later, through Alfie Hawkhead, and the visitors went in front for the first time a minute before the break when Adrian Holdsworth crossed, Archie Craggs’ goal helping establish a 10-6 interval lead. 

Joe Horan nipped over on 56 minutes, Craggs again improving, and there was no way back for Dewsbury when Noah Kershaw dotted down in the closing seconds and Craggs appended his third goal.

EAST LEEDS, who finished third, will travel to second-placed Kells after beating fifth-placed EGREMONT RANGERS 72-0 – exactly double the 36-0 home success in the league.

16-man Rangers, who had prevailed 28-18 in Cumbria, trailed 30-0 at the break and were unable to prevent Ajay Wilson from scoring a hat-trick.

Dave Gibbons crossed twice and other touchdowns went to Nehemiah Mensah, David Kamano, Isaac Coleman, Ryan Wooffitt, Shane Plunkett, Alfie Crawford, Paddy O’Reilly and Munashe Musvaburi; Luke Littlewood (9) and Jake Walker added goals.

SCOREBOARD

Saturday 10 October

NATIONAL LEAGUES

GRAND FINAL PLAY-OFFS
ELIMINATION TIES
Thatto Heath Crusaders 22 Siddal 30
Waterhead Warriors 34 Wath Brow Hornets 8

DIVISION ONE
PROMOTION PLAY-OFFS
Dewsbury Moor Maroons 6 Oulton Raiders 22
East Leeds 72 Egremont Rangers 0

CROSS-CONFERENCE FINALS SERIES (SEMI-FINALS): Orrell St James 12 Blackbrook 14; Featherstone Lions 18 Ince Rose Bridge 34 (both at Victoria Park, Warrington)
SHIELD SEMI-FINALS: Ashton Bears 12 Kippax Welfare 8; Myton Warriors 18 Milford 16 (both at Pilkington Recs)

Fixtures

Saturday 17 October

NATIONAL LEAGUES

PREMIER DIVISION
QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS
West Hull v Siddal
Hunslet ARLFC v Waterhead Warrior
DIVISION ONE
QUALIFYING SEMI-FINALS
Dewsbury Celtic v Oulton Raiders
Kells v East Leeds

CROSS-CONFERENCE PLAY-OFFS FINAL
Blackbrook v Ince Rose Bridge (Bartercard Odsal, 3:00pm)
SHIELD FINAL
Ashton Bears v Myton Warriors (Bartercard Odsal, noon)

Image: Vic Heritage