From the threat of relegation to brink of promotion, Oulton Raiders are aiming to cap a remarkable season by beating East Leeds in Saturday’s play-off final derby at Wakefield Trinity.

Raiders - whose old boys include Leeds Rhinos captain Ash Handley and recently-retired legend Ryan Hall - are surprise finalists, not only because they ended the regular campaign in the sixth and final play-off spot. A year ago it looked like they would be outside the new National Leagues structure, having finished third from bottom in the old Conference Division One.

They were handed a lifeline when Ince Rose Bridge turned down National League One to play in the regional competition and Oulton are now one win away from snatching a place in the top tier for 2027. Emile Saunders, Raiders’ joint-coach with Andy Williamson, reflected: “The improvement we’ve made throughout the season has been really good to see. The boys have been putting plenty of work in all season, so it has been really good.”

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Wakefield Trinity's DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vue, will host a Leeds derby in the National League Division One play-off final. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Wakefield Trinity's DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vue, will host a Leeds derby in the National League Division One play-off final. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Raiders reached the final - which has a noon kick-off - the hard way, winning at third-placed Dewsbury Moor in the opening play-offs round before a stunning victory away to champions Dewsbury Celtic last Saturday. That game coincided with the players’ planned end of season trip to Benidorm, but rugby took priority and they opted to give Spain a miss.

“About 10 of them were due to go,” Saunders said. “After the Dewsbury Moor game they decided they were going to play in the semi-final. They have all lost about £300 each, just to make sure of playing in the big games.”

That decision paid off and the joint-coach added: “There’s a lot of belief between the group. We had a poor season last year and a slow start this time, but belief takes you a long way and we have certainly got a lot of it at the minute.”

Easts will make the short trip to Wakefield as favourites, having finished fourth in the table, two points ahead of Raiders. They won all 22 games last term in the old Conference Division Two, but Oulton ended that winning streak with a shock 19-18 away victory in the first round of 2026.

Oulton Raiders' Archie Craggs prepares to take a conversion during the play-off semi-final win at Dewsbury Celtic. Picture by Peter Smith.

Easts gained revenge 26-10 in the return and Saunders, whose side will be at full-strength, stressed: “We have got a lot of respect for them, what they’ve done and where they’ve come from. We certainly don’t expect anything other than a tough game.”

Wakefield is a new venue for finals day - including the Premier Division title showpiece between West Hull and Hunslet ARLFC (3pm) - and playing at the home of the Super League champions adds extra spice to the occasion. Saunders said: “It’s something we are all really looking forward to - Oulton Raiders as a club, not just the open-age section.

“Everyone’s looking forward to a day out and going to a great venue. Three clubs taking part speaks volumes for the talent and the players at community clubs around Leeds. It is really nice to see.”