Siddal (Grand Final)
Its Grand Final day on Sunday when Leigh Miners Rangers and Siddal battle it out for the right to be crowned the 2015 Kingstone Press Cider NCL Premier Division Champions, Kick off 3pm at The Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
Miners go into Sunday’s final having bounced back from their first home defeat of 2015 the week previous to Siddal by beating Rochdale Mayfield 30-24 last weekend. Being under the pump in the first half and trailing 16-6 after gifting the visitors two tries from an interception and a kick off, before hitting back with two quick fire just before the break with tries from winger Ellis Grimes and half back Scott O’Brien to give Miners a 18-16 half time lead. Although Mayfield never went away in the second half, Miners where on top and in control of the second half and fully deserved their victory and place in the grand final.
The bar was set two weeks ago by Siddal and Miners know they are going to have to put in a massive performance to beat a very good Siddal side and win the grand final. The players can’t wait for the game and the challenge that lies ahead, as they are now only eighty minutes away from winning the treble and finishing what as been a fantastic year already for the club on a high.
Coaches Allan Coleman and Paul Whitworth are forced into making two changes from the side that got Miners to the grand final, with Mike O’Boyle being away in China with work and Jonny Youds who unfortunately misses out as well due to a dislocated shoulder. Coming into the side are Connor Ratcliffe and Adam Thomason.
Looking back at last week’s win against Rochdale Mayfield, joint coach Paul Whitworth said “We found ourselves in a familiar position, down on the scoreboard with a lot to do at 6-16.”
“Our defensive attitude was much improved though and we went in at half time 18-16 up after completing 17 consecutive sets.”
“Mayfield are big middle unit who go tough and we matched that, It was a great response and our discipline under pressure was maybe the difference.”
“It was just what we needed before a final.”
With Allan Coleman saying “Last week was a great achievement for our team, to bounce back in the way we did was tremendous.”
“People wrote us off.and have done for the final but that suits us.”
“It was a very tough game and one we enjoyed.”
On this week’s grand final against Siddal, Paul added “Getting to the Grand Final is a special milestone for everyone connected to the club.”
“After winning the league and the Challenge Trophy some thought there was a risk we wouldn’t get to this final but everyone around us believed in us.”
“We saw first-hand what form Siddal are currently in and that’s going to help us as we prepare.”
“In training this week there has been nothing new, we’ll keep working on the things that have served us well this year.”
“On the day we just need to what we do well, stay relaxed, enjoy the occasion and who knows we may write another line in our RL history with this special group.”
With Allan adding “The final will be very similar, Siddal are very aggressive side who like to control the game.”
“We have done our video work this week and I feel we know as a team what we need to do.”
“It will be nice to go into a final as underdogs for a change.”
“The boys are ready so let’s all enjoy our day together as a club.”
“It’s not be a bad season as it!”
Siddal go into Sunday’s grand final in great form having won their last seven matches, with the most recent being a excellent 34-14 against Miners a fortnight ago at Twist Lane. The Halifax outfit go into the final as favourites and will be looking for a similar if not better performance than the one they produced two weeks ago against Miners, as they aim to end a six year wait for silverware and become the most successful side in NCL grand final history.
Leigh Miners Rangers Grand Final Squad
Matt Astley
Chris Bowers
Shaun Dowie
Tom Farrimond
Harry Gagen
Martin Gray
Ellis Grimes
Andrew Groves
Brad Hargreaves
Danny Jackson
Danny Jones
Darryl Kay
Jimmy Muir
Mark Nicholson
Mike O’Boyle
Scott O’Brien
Tommy Parkinson
Connor Partington
Gareth Paine
Connor Ratcliffe
Dave Rowlands
Adam Thomason
Charles Tyson
Jonny Youds
Siddal Grand Final Squad
Freddie Walker
Gareth Blackburn
Gavin Stead
Chester Butler
Taniela Bakoso
Shaun Garrod
Chris Brook
George Ambler
Craig Sanderson
Richard Merville
Daniel Williams
Ross White
Gareth English
Sean McCormack
Iain Davies
Caanen Smithies
Tom Garratt
Zach McComb
James Hanson
Steven Hope
Billy Hammond
Joel McFarlane
Nick Smith
Jack Georgiou
Dominic Booth
Grand Final History
Sunday will be the first time that Miners and Siddal have met in the Grand Final, but between the two clubs they have been involved in nine of the thirteen Grand Finals so far with Siddal winning three of the five they have been involved in and Miners winning one from their four.
Leigh Miners Rangers Grand Finals
2002 = Lost 24-20 v West Hull
2005 = Won 30-22 v Wath Brow Hornets
2007 = Lost 8-6 v Skirlaugh
2008 = Lost 26-10 v East Hull
Siddal Grand Finals
2003 = Won 19-14 v West Hull
2004 = Won 18-16 v West Hull
2009 = Won 15-8 v East Hull
2010 = Lost 37-10 v Leigh East
2011 = Lost 30-18 v Thatto Heath Crusaders
Ticket Information
Entrance is £5 for Adults & £2 for Concessions. Payment is made over the turnstiles.
Hospitality Boxes are available at £120 for 10 people which includes entrance & sandwiches.
Directions
From the North via M62
Take Junction 7 and then A568 dual carriageway towards Widnes following brown signs to Halton Stadium.Take Ashley Way (A562) and 2nd exit off roundabout (McDonald’s on the right) and 2nd exit off mini-roundabout into Lowerhouse Lane.
