Saturday saw Cramlington Rockets reach another landmark in its history, beating Wallsend Eagles 32-16 to secure a place in their first ever Championship Grand Final.

After missing the chance to confirm their place last week by losing to Jarrow Vikings, Rockets Head Coach, Dave Townend knew his men needed to look at themselves to find the improvement needed to avoid a repeat.

“After disappointing against Jarrow, we approached this week with the request that the lads do a bit of soul searching” explained a proud Townend.
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“This week, we completely focussed on ourselves. I wanted to see if the lads had the heart to fix all the wrongs that had gone before us, running at 100% full intensity in training.

Before the match, I asked the lads to be honest and defend for each other.

This was followed by the best warm up we’ve had all season."

When asked what had been the difference following two defeats to the same side earlier this season, it was easy for Townend to identify the difference.

“The players wanted to defend. They wanted to make up for mistakes and it was our superior defence and game management helped us prevail.”

Having enjoyed a glut of success at a junior level, including five trophies in 2017 alone, it is further justification of the time being invested in the youth set up by the Rockets as a club given that this year’s first team squad has an average age of only 19 years old and 75% are ex-juniors.

The Rockets have enjoyed success at the open age level in the past, winning the 2014 Plate Final, the secondary cup competition, and the NE Second Division in 2011 with an unbeaten season, but qualifying for this Grand Final is the biggest achievement of the club since it moved to Cramlington in 2009.

“It’s fantastic to be part of a side making history, especially for me in my first season with the Rockets, but we are fully aware we still have a lot to do” added Townend.

“The league could finish with the top three sides on equal points, which shows how competitive it is. Whoever we get, we know it will be a tough game but the players today proved they have what it takes when it matters.”

The Grand Final on 19th August will be against either Wallsend or Jarrow Vikings at Monkton Stadium in Jarrow with a 3pm kick off and will be preceded by the Shield Final between Gateshead Storm and Catterick Crusaders at 12:30.

Entry will be £2 for adults and free for children and promises to be another great day for North East Rugby League.