Shaw Cross ‘A’ or the Rats as they are also known progressed to the Yorkshire Men’s Division 3 play-off final after a 14-30 win over East Leeds ‘A’ on Saturday afternoon.

A quick start from Shaw Cross saw them take an early lead scoring two tries to put themselves in control. East Leeds responded well to going behind by halving the visitors lead before a strong finish to the first half saw the Rats go into half time with a 6-18 lead.

It was a fierce encounter with both sides desperate to make it through to the final and tensions boiled over in the 72nd minute.

With the Rats in pole position having gone ahead 14-30 a brawl broke out which saw the match official knocked to the ground by an East Leeds ‘A’ player. The game was brought to an early finish and the win was given to the visitors.

Head Coach James Collins was proud of his team’s performance and he is happy to see his side reach the final.

He said: “It was good to get the win. We had weak spells in the game but in the beginning of the first half and the back end of the first half we were completely dominant.

There were some very good spells for Shaw Cross, there were times when they couldn’t touch us.

Our forwards dominated their pack allowing our backs to play off them a bit more. Overall it was a good team performance. Tensions were high with it being a semi-final and both teams were desperate to get the win, luckily we had enough quality to get us over the line.”

Shaw Cross ‘A’ had previously lost to East Leeds ‘A’ in both league meetings this season. Collins was proud of the character his team displayed to be able to get the win that secured a place in the final.

He said: “To come to their place and win, after losing twice in the league, is a real credit to the lads.”

The Rats have had an eye on the play-off final since the beginning of the season with Collins adamant that his side are good enough on their day to beat any team in the league.

Collins and his men will have no easy task on Friday night as they face the undefeated Hunslet Parkside ‘A’. However the Rats Head Coach is feeling optimistic.

He said: “Our goal from the get go has always been to reach the play-off final. And now that we are there we know we are in with a shot. As I have said at times before, in 80 minutes at a neutral venue anything can happen.

We will be underdogs going into the game but I don’t mind being the underdog. With the squad we have and if the attitude is right I feel we could cause a bit of a shock.”

A win in Friday’s final would mean that the Rats will have won their league Division for the third successive season. Something that no other Shaw Cross team have ever done.

Collins said: “I do believe we are in with a shot. This is probably the biggest game the Rats have ever had. A chance to win the league for three years in a row is a big thing.

If we have the right team and the right attitude we can do a job on Friday. To win the league three times has never been done and hopefully we can do it.”

Shaw Cross ‘A’ will travel to Featherstone Lions where Friday’s final is due to take place. And with confidence high Collins and his men will hope for a jubilant journey back to Shaw Cross, bringing along with them a new piece of silverware.