Championships finals day line-up confirmed
Leigh will take on Featherstone in the headline match on Kingstone Press Championships Grand Finals day at Headingley on Sunday, October 5.
The Centurions ended Fev’s four year hold on the league leaders shield by finishing top of the pile in 2014, and they will be looking to be champions for the first time since 2004, when victory over Whitehaven saw them promoted to Super League.
Featherstone, meanwhile, will be hoping to win the Grand Final for the second time in four years, having won it by beating Sheffield in the 2011 Grand Final.
It was a win over Sheffield, who have won the Grand Final for the past two seasons, that saw Featherstone book their place at Headingley, while Leigh defeated Dewsbury 33-22.
Some might argue that the Championship One Grand Final carries more significance this year, with one of Oldham or Hunslet able to take their place in the Championship next season, thus opening the door to a potential Super League push.
With five teams having been relegated, the decision to guarantee a place in the “second 12” next season raised some eyebrows at the start of the year, but it has at least given extra meaning to the battle at the top.
The Hawks defeated league leaders’ York 32-24, in the City Knights’ last ever game at Huntington Stadium, and will now face Oldham, who have lost five Grand Finals in the last seven years.
The Championship One game kicks-off at 4.05pm, with the Championship Grand Final following at 7pm.
Earlier in the day, the Conference Challenge Trophy final between West Hull and East Leeds will take place at 11.45pm, followed by a Nines tournament between rival teams Leeds Trinity, Leeds Beckett and Leeds University.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: “Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day is a hugely popular day in the Rugby League calendar with many fans rightly seeing it as an opportunity to celebrate the excellence that we have come to expect from both competitions.
“The quality on show in each league has been magnificent this year and every player in Championship and Championship One, not just those who will battle it out for honours at Headingley, should be proud of themselves for what they have achieved in 2014.
“I urge all Rugby League fans to come and be a part of this special occasion and make it memorable one for all involved.”
Gordon Johncox, managing director of Kingstone Press, said: “At Kingstone Press we are really looking forward to Championships Finals Day. We have lots of exciting activity taking place to ensure it will be a proper day out for everyone.
“Our Fan Zone, at the St Michael’s Lane entrance, will keep supporters entertained throughout the day, with activity such as music from band Farra, and our interactive cyclone games to get that competitive spirit going. All of this, along with some cracking sport is sure to make the day an electrifying end to the season.”