The Co-Operative Rugby League Conference

       The Rugby League Conference (RLC) started life as a concept in 1997, bringing together 12 amateur clubs based in the 'non-traditional' areas of Great Britain. The key difference between the Rugby League Conference and other leagues is that it is played during the summer months, and this opens up opportunities for many people to take up the sport who are engaged in other sports during the winter. Some clubs have developed second teams and junior sections, and the continuation of this internal growth will be an area for consideration in the coming years. The RFL is committed to the future expansion of the RLC, and firmly believes that the RLC will be a major expansion tool for the game.

HISTORY 2004 TO DATE

Formed in 2004 operating from the Widnes St Maries premises. The Saints were created with the aim of attracting new blood,be it Union players or players from other clubs, and retaining the youth players produced by Widnes St Maries. The first season saw 7 players attracted from Union with all but 1 staying on in league. The season was a tremendous success with the Saints winning the Harry Jepson Trophy at their first attempt on a brilliant day in St Albans at the Conference Grand Final against West London Sharks.

   As was expected it became harder to encourage new players and the new recruits quickly went on to play Winter rugby. The extra travelling took its toll and games had to be conceded.

     After 2 poor seasons the Saints turned things round with the use of some of the excellent youth players produced by Widnes St Maries blending with some of the more experienced players from around the borough.              

        2007 Season saw the Saints finish second to last years Grand Final winners Liverpool Buccaneers but the Saints managed to overturn them in the play-offs to win the North West Division title. A win against a plucky Edinburgh Eagles and a nail biter against Rossington Sharks in the semi saw the Saints in their second grand Final in 4 seasons.

CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE REGIONAL GRAND FINAL 2007

Broadstreet RFC, Coventry

BEDFORD TIGERS 18 v WIDNES SAINTS 27

            Widnes Saints added the RLC Regional title to the Harry Jepson Trophy they won in 2004, proving a well known adage in sporting circles in the process, that teams going a man down invariably respond better to such adversity. Having lost scrum half Craig Millington, sent off just before the break for retaliation after brother Ryan was floored from behind, and 12-4 down at the time; Saints showed great composure, experience and discipline to emerge victorious.

            Held together by stand off Dave Welsh who kicked intelligently and twice, crucially, stole the ball one on one as Bedford mounted a desperate late response; the men from Cheshire had sufficient potency from two try winger Chris Cartledge and guile courtesy of Ryan Millington for the gallant Tigers, who were surprisingly introverted after the interval.

            From the kick off Saints allowed the kick off to bounce dead and were under immediate pressure, former Somerset Viking prop Jamie Goss leading the Tigers’ charge. Simon Bevan was taken in a high challenge by Tony Hannon and influential Bedford pivot Chris Potts landed the opening points with a penalty from wide out. Tigers were penalised for crossing on half way and Saints showed a willingness to keep the ball alive that paid instant dividends. Back rowers Alan Ditchfield, Edge and Gary McKeown were heavily involved, and having forced a drop out on the last, Jamie Edge, Craig Millington and Neil Bourke combined to send in Ste Riley wide out; Welsh missing the conversion. Chris Cartledge,s interception repelled the next Bedford raid with Sam Richbell prominent but the weight of Tigers pressure told when Craig Millington’s pass went behind Mike Stevenson and Chris Lee gathered to race away from 30 metres, Potts adding the extras.

            Another penetrating run from Goss induced a penalty but Potts was wide with the shot at goal, Goss again producing two quality charges from the drop out. Cartledge served notice of his threat on the Widnes right but just put a foot in touch on a 30 metre run. Andy Hibbert with a typical barn storming run opened up the Tigers defence to feed Will Tilleke. Quick hands moved the ball out right only for touch to be found near the line. Just after the half hour Bedford hooker Nathan Reed put in a storming run from half way, initially shaping to kick but then taking on Darren McKinnon and winning the race to touchdown out wide, Richbell missing the conversion but at 12-4 the men from the East looked in control. Their odds shortened when Saints had Craig Millington sent off for retaliation with the Tigers going un-penalised , after brother Ryan was floored from behind by Potts.

            As so often happens, the side down a man found a greater intensity in their game and finished the half the stronger. Rangy stand off Welch put in a clever chip into space, Martin Leather side footed the ball inside and Cartledge gathered to score.

            Cartledge had claims for another try disallowed at the start of the second period, when Welsh’s grubber just rolled dead and on the only real time in the second period Bedford looked for an overlap, the pass from Lee to Magill was forward. McKinnon ran well out of defence for the Saints and from a back to back set, Cartledge showed great determination to put his side into a lead they never lost. Ryan Millington and Chris Fenlon combined for the winger to twist and turn his way over. The excellent Lee diffused a Millington chip halting a further Saints score. Dan Sharp was just held up over the line from Magill’s long pass as the Tigers sought a way back but they conceded three successive penalties to surrender territory and Mike Stevenson’s lightening pace off the wing brought him a crucial score.

            Bedford responded when Magill was first to react after Cameron Allsop had hacked through, Simon Bevan’s goal making it 20-18 to the Saints. An eleven minute delay for a neck injury to Edge halted proceedings; the find of the season was taken to hospital but fortunately released later with no major damage. Welsh dropping a goal on the restart to edge Widnes nearer the silverware. Panic off loads hampered the Tigers in promising positions as Welsh came to the rescue to deny Sharp; Potts’ bomb just being knocked on by Magill as Richbell looked to touch down. Welsh produced his party piece to take possession from the dynamic Lee and when Ryan Millington kicked the ball at Richbell and forced a knock on just short of the Tigers’ line, Kevin Buck shot over from acting half back to send the trophy back up the M6.

TIGERS

1 Simon Bevan, 2 Chris Aubury, 3 Marrick Murphy, 4 Cameron Allsop, 5 Chris Lee, 6 Dan Sharp, 7 Chris Potts, 8 Jamie Goss, 9 Nathan Reed, 10 Sam Richbell, 11 Dave Rowling, 12 Gary Flook, 13 Matt Hughes, Subs (all used),14 Graham Magill1 ,15 Dan Baroux, 16 Jack Brown, 17 Jamie Stead.

Tries: Lee (16), Reed (31), McGill (63)Goals: Potts 2/3, Richbell 0/1, Bevan 1/1

SAINTS

1 Darren McKinnon, 2 Chris Cartledge, 3 Martin Leather, 4 Ste Riley, 5 Mike Stevenson, 6 Dave Welsh, 7 Craig Millington, 8 Tony Hannon, 9 Kevin Buck, 10 Neil Bourke, 11 Jamie Edge, 12 Alan Ditchfield, 13 Gary McKeown, Subs (all used) 14 Ryan Millington, 17 Chris Fenlon, 18 Andy Hibbert, 19 Will Tilleke

Tries: Riley (11), Cartledge (39, 50), Stevenson (59), Buck (76)

Goals: Welsh 0/2 Bourke 3/3

D/goal: Welsh

Sent off: C. Millington (36 – foul play)

Men of the match:           TIGERS – Chris Lee                  SAINTS – David Welsh

Half time: 12-8

Referee: Darren Hayes