The Gillette National Youth League, featuring some of the best unsigned rugby league talent at under 18 level – including a number of players who have just come off the historic Great Britain Community Young Lions tour to Australia – kicks off this weekend
writes Phil CAplan.
Now in its fifth season, defending Champions Celtic Crusaders Colts kick off their campaign at home to Hemel Stags in the re-vamped 18-team competition, which includes six new clubs.
The season opens with the first of the ‘Gillette Friday Night Floodlit Footy’ matches when Featherstone Lions take on West Hull, who both made the play offs last season and will again start among the favourites.
Four of the newcomers face each other in round one, with Widnes Saints hosting Barrow Lakers and Castleford Lock Lane travelling to Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks.
Leeds Stanningley and Widnes West Bank are also on debut.
Gillette National Youth League – Opening Fixtures
Friday September 11 2009 (8.00pm)
Featherstone Lions
v
West Hull.
Sunday September 13 2009 (1.30pm)
Celtic Crusaders Colts
v
Hemel Stags;
East Leeds
v
Halifax Siddal;
Gateshead Thunder
v
Leeds Stanningley;
Keighley Cougar Cubs
v
Ince Rose Bridge Wigan;
Leigh East
v
Saddleworth Rangers;
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
v
Castleford Lock Lane (11.45);
West Cumbria
v
Widnes West Bank;
Widnes Saints
v
Barrow Lakers.
GILLETTE NATIONAL YOUTH LEAGUE 2009/10
FORMAT:
West Conference:
Celtic Crusaders Colts,
Widnes St Maries,
Keighley Cougar Cubs,
Leigh East,
West Cumbria,
Widnes West Bank Bears,
Saddleworth Rangers,
Ince Rose Bridge Wigan,
Barrow Lakers.
East Conference:
Herts RL,
East Leeds,
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks,
Featherstone Lions,
Gateshead Thunder,
Leeds Stanningley,
West Hull,
Castleford Lock Lane,
Halifax Siddal.
