Double Plate Finals

Next Sunday 5th May, Eccles has the honour of fielding two Senior teams in two Finals, both offering the prospect of being cracking rugby contests.

The Colts Senior Plate Final – Eccles Senior Colts v Ormskirk Senior Colts – Kicks off 1130am at Heaton Moor RUFC.

The two rivals last faced each other in the Lancashire U18 Colts Trophy Semi-Final in March, when Eccles claimed a 30-29 victory with a late penalty kick in a hard fought game to progress to the County Trophy Final (which Eccles lost to a combined Manchester & Stockport team). The Colts Plate Final will be the fourth occasion Eccles and Ormskirk have met this season: Ormskirk took a 33-22 win back in October, which Eccles responded to with 41-8 home and 11-22 away league victories and the Semi Final scalp. Without doubt both teams will be looking to confirm their superiority and a compelling competition is expected.

The Lancashire Plate Final – Eccles v Aspull -Kicks off at 12pm, at Rochdale RUFC.

Eccles and Aspull have both earned league promotion to Level 7 having finished as the top two teams in the Lancs/Cheshire Div2. Champions Aspull have gone unbeaten this season with an impressive 20 wins from 20. The league fixtures between the teams have been close, fully committed battles with Aspull coming from behind to win 31-20 in Wigan and take a 12-19 win at Eccles with first half penalties and two tries from two opportunities in the 2nd half. Eccles competed well in both contests, and were strong in the set piece, but were not as clinical in the final third as Aspull and will no doubt be looking to correct this and lift the silverware in the county final next Sunday.

As both the 1XV and the Colts know all too well, league form counts for nothing in the cup! Let’s get as many numbers as possible to both Finals to support the lads down the touchlines. Remember to allow extra time for your journey and parking at venues which are expected to be busy. Rochdale will be hosting all the Lancashire Cup Competitions that day (Bowl KO 11.45am, Plate 12 pm, Trophy 2pm, Cup 2pm.)