Benidorm cancellation pays off as 3 Leeds rugby league sides reach finals day at Wakefield Trinity

Hunslet ARLFC are set to face West Hull in Saturday’s Premier Division title decider (3pm), following the Division One promotion showdown between East Leeds and neighbours Oulton Raiders (noon). Hunslet, who finished second in the table, booked their Grand Final place with a 16-9 home win against Waterhead Warriors, after training 9-8 at half-time.

The visitors took an early 6-0 lead, but Hunslet levelled through a try by Jack McShane which Harry Shackleton converted. Shackleton added a penalty, but a similar score and drop goal just before the break gave Waterhead a narrow advantage.

The crucial moment in the game came nine minutes into the second period when Ben Shulver crashed over. Shackleton booted the extras and made sure of victory and a place in the final with a penalty goal two minutes from time.

Hunslet will be underdogs against West Hull, who lost only once en-route to finishing top of the table and are also defending champions after winning the last National Conference League Grand Final a year ago. They beat Siddal - coached by Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Jake Connor - 42-10 in the other semi-final.

East Leeds and Oulton both booked their place at finals day with an away victory against a team who had finished above them in the table. Fourth-placed Easts hit back from 20-10 down to win 34-20 at league runners-up Kells.

Dave Gibbons’ second try, after Ajay Wilson had opened their account, got Easts back into the contest just before half-time and they dominated the second period with Shane Plunkett crossing twice and Alfie Crawford and Wilson also touching down. Luke Littlewood finished with three goals for Easts, who had Luke Mullen sin-binned in the closing moments following a late challenge.

Even reaching the last four was a surprise to Oulton who ended the league campaign in the sixth and final play-off spot. They were granted late inclusion in Division One when

Ince Rose Bridge opted to switch to National Conference North West just before the season began and nine of their first-choice squad were due to fly to Benidorm last weekend.

The players agreed to cancel their end of season break in order to play in the semi-final at table-topping Dewsbury Celtic and that dedication was rewarded with a 37-16 win. Celtic, who had already secured promotion as champions, went in front with a try by Tom Bottomley, but Raiders responded through Adrian Holdsworth and Alfie Hawkhead.

Joel Gibson’s touchdown and second conversion levelled matters, but Oulton dominated after Matty Stableford edged them ahead again with a spectacular long-range score on the final play of the opening period.

Noah Crawshaw crossed just after the interval and again on the hour and Noah Kershaw’s try five minutes later ended Celtic’s hopes. Archie Craggs converted all six touchdowns and booted a drop goal before Josh Frain scored a consolation try for Celtic on the final play of their season.