Dewsbury Moor promoted and Hunslet ARLFC three-peat champions following thrilling NCL Finals day

The National Conference League came to a fantastic finish on Saturday at Featherstone with the final promotion place to the Premier Division and the destination of the top league's championship being decided in two tremendous games.

The Division One Play-off Final kicked off proceedings with third-placed Ince Rose Bridge and fourth-placed Dewsbury Moor Maroons going head to head.

Moor started the game superbly with back-to-back tries in the 13th and 15th minute that put them in control. Centre Luke Adamson grabbed the first on the left with Greg Colbridge converting, then Walker was one of the players involved in the passing move that saw fellow centre Joe Berry burst over on the right after Adamson had set the position with a startling run from the restart.

It remained that way for the rest of the first half with both sides going at each other. Ince Rose Bridge were improved with the introduction of Tommy Porter which allowed Byron Aspinall to go out to loose forward and also freed Kyle Malone to move into a more favoured second-row spot.

Rose Bridge struck back in the second half when Kieron Eccleston and Mason Fillingham moved the ball to TJ Boyd and he was able to pass on for Gareth Hughes to cross in the corner after 54 minutes. Porter couldn't convert but Ince Rose Bridge were on the board at 4-10.

Nine minutes from time, Eccleston kicked across the field and Dewsbury Moor spilled the ball right into the hands of Jack Heaton. Porter goaled to make it 10-10.

A mistake from the restart piled the pressure on and although Dewsbury Moor threw themselves forward James Samme was held up over the line.

As the clock ticked down, a low kick from Louie Walker caused issues for TJ Boyd and a scrum was ruled. Moor took the ball left and Colbridge was unstoppable from fifteen metres. He goaled and Moor celebrated the 16-10 success, and elevation to the Premier Division, their second successive promotion.

Heavyweights Siddal and Hunslet ARLFC then did battle for the Premier Division title with reigning champions Hunslet having qualified from fourth thanks to wins over Wath Brow Hornets, Rochdale Mayfield and West Hull. Siddal, who topped the Premier Division were making their first Grand Final appearance since 2017 and put Hunslet under pressure from the off.

It was a nervous first half for the South Leeds side and Siddal did well to claim two tries and build an 8-0 half-time advantage. That lead could have been bigger with Siddal missing a couple of chances to punish Hunslet who were superbly marshalled in defence by Harry Dodd and Jack McShane.

Harvey Williams opened the scoring for Siddal after nine minutes when he dashed thirty metres and reached out so score. Unfortunately for the Halifax side, Lewis Hosty was off target with the kick from wide out. Also, he missed his second attempt on goal when Oliver Lewis grounded out wide from a superb cross-field kick from outstanding hooker Jamie Greenwood who regained possession from an astute chip and kicked on again.

At the other end, Jordan Gale had a score ruled out for double movement and that was as good as it got in the first forty minutes for Hunslet who gave away a succession of penalties and kicked poorly.

It all changed in the second half and with a laser focus, attacking down the slope, Hunslet were soon in front. Captain Ben Shulver grounded the first after good work from Jack McShane who then added an important try of his own a couple of minutes later. Gale converted both and the reigning champions led 12-8.

Siddal finally replied on the hour. This came after losing Lewis Hosty following a big collision between him, teammate Daniel Williams and Tyler Dargan after the Hunslet winger dashed down the touchline and stepped inside. Hosty was helped from the field following a lengthy stoppage while Williams received treatment to a head wound. Dargan also dusted himself off to continue.

The Siddal response was worth waiting for when Greenwood fed the ball to Henry Turner and the centre crossed out wide, but Greenwood couldn't land the conversion and the game was in the melting pot at 12-12 with just twenty minutes to go.

Hunslet again stepped up their efforts in the last quarter, restricting Siddal yardage while enjoying more of the field position themselves.

Inside the final fifteen minutes, Hunslet charged in with Moris Kamano making fifteen metres with three players hanging off him and Kieren Webster also doing well before Jack McShane pushed the ball right and Jordan Gale was able to score a strong try and converted to make it 18-12. Danny Rowse missed a drop goal attempt before George Clarke sealed victory with a powerhouse 72-minute try, with Gale again adding the extras for the unassailable 24-12 lead to confirm Hunslet'a three-peat heroics with Jack McShane being adjudged man-of-the-match.

Match Reports by Dave Parkinson

Photo Credit: Martin Taylor (Instagram: @shotbybamboo)