With the U12s and U14s set to feature, for the older group in particular it marks a notable achievement this season and is a testament to the hard work of all involved.

With the age group flailing last season, it went the whole season without a win.

However, as soon as the season ended, the coaching staff, with some new faces, started working on turning things around.

Pre-season was better, with more energy and structure and soon numbers started to grow.

With everything in place, it was the opening match of the season in May that the team could see if it had made a difference.

A 66-4 win was a resounding ‘yes’ and since then the team have only lost once, with a win against local rival Whitley Bay Barbarians securing the place in July 7th’s finals day at Kingston Park.

They take on Gateshead Storm that day, the same side that the club’s U12s will face, but their younger counterparts will have to wait another two weeks to enjoy their moment in the sun.

The U12s have enjoyed an easier path, their win against Catterick Crusaders in the semi-final marking the first competitive match for many of the players involved.

With the North East U12s playing friendly matches, the Rockets have spent the season using their huge squad to play two teams, mixing and matching to ensure all players get as much game time as possible.

Tailored to ease the transition into competitive rugby, it means the squads that feature in the cup run are their based on merit.

With the Rockets mixing U11s and U12s, it means that there is a healthy mix of older children who were part of the club’s U12s Cup win last year with newer faces who have made the step up this season.

It continues the Northumberland-based club’s remarkable run of having more than one finalist during a season to over seven consecutive years.

The Rockets have the chance to make it a hat-trick of cup successes later this summer if their U16s Black, who are competing in the Yorkshire Premier Division this season, can overcome Kippax Welfare in the Yorkshire Cup Semi-Final this weekend.

And with the U14s sitting top of their league and the 1st XIII currently third in theirs, there is a strong chance there will be more Rockets with the chance of silverware by the close of the season.

The U14s Cup Final forms part of North East Cup Finals Day on 7th July.

The U12s Cup Final will be part of North East Grand Finals Day on 21st July.

All fixtures are to be played at Kingston Park stadium.