Yet another memorable season draws to a close for West Leeds RUFC on Saturday with their third consecutive Twickenham final, writes Glenn Broadbent.
Promoted last week to Division One North East, West’s now play at their highest level in the club’s history.
The team becomes only the second team ever to compete at all three levels of the finals.
Veteran supporter Peter Markovick, 86, said:
“I have seen these lads grow from the under nines to reach this level and I am not able to put into words how proud I am.
“I retired from my business three years ago having decided to follow my passion for horses, finally this year I have a mare competing in a listed race but my heart tells me I must follow the lads so on Saturday I will reluctantly be saying goodbye to my horse.”
West Leeds face Greenwich-based Charlton Park, who will make the short journey across London.
Park who apparently were formed in 1839 have never met West Leeds in a competitive game but their paths did cross in the Magaluf International sevens a few years ago, a game they won but only after some irresponsible positioning by West Leeds in a short three-minute episode of play.
Captain on the day and the man who will lead out West Leeds on Saturday was reluctant to discuss the game only to say, “we practiced the planned move the night before and the six involved pulled it off to perfection it didn’t work in Magaluf so we won’t be repeating it in TW1”.
The game can be viewed live via Youtube England Rugby, Kick Off 3pm.