Leeds rugby league club set for emotional Grand Final: Hunslet ARLFC bid to retain Conference crown
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Hunslet are reeling from the death of 42-year-old former player Omar Mehdi, who was taken ill last weekend, hours after coaching the club’s under-eights. The tragedy has cast a shadow over preparations for Saturday’s game at Featherstone Rovers’ Millennium Stadium, Post Office Road (3.15pm), but the south Leeds side will look to channel their emotions into a third successive Grand Final triumph.
Hunslet Club Parkside won the title in 2022 and repeated the feat last year following a merger with the neighbouring Warriors outfit. They face a huge challenge against league leaders Siddal, who finished six points ahead, but will take confidence from two victories over the Halifax team in the regular season.
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Hunslet were fourth on the table and won three play-off ties to reach the Grand Final, including an 18-6 victory at second-placed West Hull last week. Speaking before news of Mehdi’s death, Sam Thorpe - who coaches the team alongside Martin Rowse - said: “We knew by mid-season we weren’t likely to finish in the top-two.
“Having accepted that, we set our stall out for the play-offs and marked particular games out. We’ve enjoyed having to do it tough, it has been a breath of fresh air. We’ve proved we are a champion side and we’re determined to win it again.”
The Premier Division showpiece is the second part of a double-header which begins when Dewsbury Moor Maroons take on Ince Rose Bridge in the Division One promotional final, kicking off at 1pm.
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