It’s a huge weekend of finals Rugby League with deciding games taking place the length and breadth of the land.
Oliver Roby previews the action.
SOUTH WEST – Devon v Cornwall
The South West Grand Final takes place on Sunday at Launceston RFC (PL15 9QT), with Cornish Rebels taking on Devon Sharks.
The Rebels are looking to defend the title they won in 2015 against Exeter Centurions while the Sharks, resurgent this year, will be looking to win their first piece of silverware since 2013.
The two sides also contested what was branded ‘the South West’s best-ever match’, as Rebels overcame the Sharks 28-26 to win the 2016 South West Challenge Cup back in June.
Details:
Sunday, 21 August
2.30pm
Cornish Rebels v Devon Sharks
Launceston RFC – PL15 9QT
Entry – £2 Adults, £1 Concessions
WEST OF ENGLAND
It’s a double-header in the West of England League this weekend.
Southampton Spitfires take on Oxford Cavaliers on the Plate final at 1.00pm, a clash of two new sides to the league, which has doubled in size on 2015.
The teams could barely be split during the regular season, with both finishing the year third in the Pool 1 and Pool 2 ladder respectively, while both suffered four defeats each across 2016.
The West of England Grand Final gets underway at 3.00pm as Portsmouth Navy Seahawks clash with Swindon St George for the right the be called West of England champions.
On paper, Portsmouth appear to be favourites for the clash as they won eight of their 10 games in 2016, losing just once, with their unbeaten run stretching back to early June.
But, in the other camp, Swindon have been one of the Rugby League success stories of 2016.
After finishing rock bottom of the West of England League in 2015, winning just twice, new leadership has seen them turn their fortunes around.
They now have over 30 players signed on and regularly field two teams each weekend – they also finished clear at the top of Pool 2 this year.
Details:
Saturday, 20 August
1.00pm
Plate Final – Southampton Spitfires v Oxford Cavaliers
3.00pm
Grand Final – Portsmouth Navy Seahawks v Swindon St George
Chippenham RFC – SN14 OYZ
Entry – £2 adults, £1 Concessions
EAST RUGBY LEAGUE
A massive day in East Rugby League sees no fewer than three titles decided, and entry is free of charge.
The Merit League, which saw nine teams compete in 2016, culminates on Saturday as Hemel Stags A take on Bedford Tigers A, the two sides who were dominant in the league this year.
That game kicks off at noon, and the Division 1 Final gets underway at 2.00pm.
Division 1 has seen an enthralling tussle between Southend Spartans and Milton Keynes’ MK Wolves, who will contest the second tier’s showpiece event.
MK finished just two points clear of Southend at the end of the regular season, with their first clash of the year seeing a dramatic 36-all draw, before the Wolves won 38-28 on home turf last month.
Finally, Premier Division league leaders Bedford Tigers take on third-placed Hemel Stags in the East RL Grand Final.
Bedford, 2016 East RL Cup winners, were on a 15-month unbeaten run until recently, but Hemel pushed them close twice this season.
The Tigers won 24-22 away from home in June, while they won 26-24 against Hemel on home turf.
Details:
Saturday, August 20
12.00pm
Merit League Final – Bedford Tigers A v Hemel Stags A
2.00pm
Division 1 Final – MK Wolves v Southend Spartans
4.00pm
East RL Grand Final – Bedford Tigers v Hemel Stags
All at Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club – MK42 7BN
Entry – Free
NORTH EAST – two big games at Kingston Park
The Plate Final kicks off proceedings at 1.00pm with Catterick Crusaders, in their first year together, taking on Whitley Bay Barbarians in the North East Shield Final.
The East RL Championship Final then sees unbeaten Wallsend Eagles look to retain the title they won last year as they clash with Jarrow Vikings, who finished second behind the Eagles this year.
Details:
Saturday, August 20
1.00pm
Plate Final – Catterick Crusaders v Whitley Bay Barbarians
3.30pm
Championship Final – Wallsend Eagles v Jarrow Vikings
Kingston Park – NE13 8AF
MIDLANDS RL – Northampton looking to make it three in a row
The Division 1 play-off final will kick off at 1.00pm as Sherwood Wolf Hunt take on Leamington Royals, with the Premier Division Grand Final between Coventry Dragons and Northampton Demons kicking off at 3.00pm.
Sherwood are looking to retain the Division 1 title they won last year, while Northampton are looking to make it a remarkable hat-trick of wins in the Premier Division having won back-to-back titles since 2014.
Details:
Saturday, August 20
1.00pm
Division 1 Grand Final – Sherwood Wolf Hunt v Leamington Royals
3.00pm
Premier Division Grand Final – Coventry Dragons v Northampton Demons
At Sutton Coldfield RFC – B76 2QA
Entry – £2 adults, FREE concessions
LONDON MEN’S LEAGUE
Wests Warriors face local rivals Hammersmith Hills Hoists at Chiswick RFC in the London RL Grand Final.
Both sides have lost just once each in 2016, coincidentally to each other, and Hoists will be looking to pick up their first title since 2012.
Details:
Saturday, August 20
2.30pm
London RL Grand Final – Wests Warriors v Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Chiswick RFC – W4 2SH
