Having fallen to Jarrow the previous week, the Rockets still had control of their own destiny but knew that only victory over Wallsend Eagles would be enough to guarantee a place in the season’s finale.

Wallsend have been a bogey side this season, responsible for two of the Rockets’ three defeats, most recently a 26-24 loss in the Cup Semi-final in June.

The margin of defeat that day and the progress made in the following two months meant the Rockets felt confident of reversing their fortunes.

Both teams were feeling ungenerous in the match’s open exchanges, both defences showing ferocity from the off.

It was Wallsend that found the first crack of daylight, scoring a converted try.

It took the Rockets ten minutes to find a reply through centre, Liam Hawthorn with a four pointer.

Wallsend doubled their tally five minutes later before space down the Rockets’ right wing allowed Ryan Hull to reach top gear.

Having made his debut a week earlier following the completion of the U16s season, the young winger scorched past the scrambling defence to score his first open age try to loud cheers from the crowd.

NE Young Player of the Year nominee, Jack Redfern added the conversion and the score was a tense 12-10 to Wallsend at the half time break.

An inspiring team talk from Head Coach, Dave Townend prompted an immediate response when the teams re-emerged.

Ross Glasper justified his recall to the left wing with another flying effort to give the Rockets the lead for the first time, Redfern once again kicking cleanly to add two more points.

Having pulled the strings all game, Fraser Boldy then went from creator to finisher, diving over himself for a converted effort.

With the score 22-12 now, the men in orange knew they had an opportunity.

Defences remained boisterous despite both teams tiring, the teams clashing off the ball as the tension mounted.

It fell upon Glasper to settle the nerves with another score and ease the gap out to 14 points following the conversion.

With time running out, Wallsend adding four more points but it was not enough.

A final converted effort from Glasper to complete his hat-trick took the score to 32-16 before the referee brought the match to a close promoting jubilant scenes from those on and off the field.

The victory meant that the Rockets can look forward to their first ever Championship Grand Final on the 19th August with the match next week between Wallsend Eagles and Jarrow Vikings deciding who the opponent will be.