Spartans ARLFC

Following an inspection by the appointed referee this lunchtime, tomorrow's game has been postponed.

We have tried to isolate the problem areas and soften them up, but it's all been a bit futile with the pitch so exposed and the weather being the way it has.

It does mean another fixture for the backlog, but hopefully we will have some clarity on a schedule for our remaining games during the early part of next week. ⚔

Game day on Saturday... we hope. ⚔

Mirfield Spartans v King Cross Park at Frank Middleton Park, Slipper Lane. 2.30pm KO.

Other than a light smattering on Sunday, we've not had much rain since last weekend's postponement.

But we are exploring all possibilities and doing what we can to get the game on.

Updates to follow.

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📸 Winterburn Photography

You wait 40 days for a home game, and then the ground's too hard! 🙃

Following dialogue with the appointed referee, the playing surface at Frank Middleton Park has been deemed unsafe to play on.

And with no rain forecast between now and kick-off, a decision has been taken to postpone Saturday's match.

Given the long wait for a home game, this is a really frustrating one - and it means there's yet another fixture to try and squeeze in before the end of the season.

Apologies to all for the inconvenience, and to those who were looking forward to watching a derby showdown in the sunshine this weekend.

Watch this space for updates on upcoming games and rearrangements.

Back at home this Saturday for the first time in 40 days!🤯

The lads have been on the road at King Cross Park, Myton Warriors, Drighlington and Keighley Albion since our last appearance up Slipper Lane, and we can't wait to be back in front of our own crowd.

It's a proper local derby in store against a Thornhill side who've hit good form this last few weeks, and who will be out for revenge following our win at their place in March.

We hope to see a big crowd up there for what will be a great contest.

📰 Men's match report

Mirfield Spartans suffered their first league loss in more than four months away at Keighley Albion on Saturday.

There was a big crowd on hand at Keighley for a game that had all the makings of a classic, and the players on the field did not disappoint.

The result was in the balance right through until the closing stages, when the hosts were able to get over for two converted tries to kill the contest.

That came after Spartans had battled back to within six points playing up the slope in the second half.

But Albion were full value for their win as they avenged their defeat at our place in May.

We headed into the game without captain Alfie Copley and centre Lewis Boye, but with Jordan Paga back available in the halves.

Playing downhill in the first half, we took the lead when a flowing right to left move gave James Pickering the space to break and cross the line.

The conversion from out wide came back off the post, and the hosts hit back with a quickfire double, converting both, to make it 12-4 at the break.

They extended their lead after the break to make it 16-4, leaving us with a mountain to climb.

We lost top try scorer Lewis Toner to injury in the first half, while other injuries left us thin on the bench for much of the second half.

But the boys showed immense spirit to score next, with Josh
Willcock powering over for a trademark try.

The conversion made it 16-10 and gave us every chance of at least earning a share of the spoils, with plenty of time on the clock.

But while we did have our chances to level, it was Albion who were able to find the extra energy in the hot conditions to cross twice more in the closing stages and secure victory.

Congratulations to our hosts on a great performance and a deserved win, which takes them clear at the top of the league on 23 points.

Thanks to them too for their great hospitality and for staging such a great advert for rugby league at this level.

Heading into another blank weekend for our first team, we sit four points behind Albion, but with a game in hand, and plenty of rugby still to play.

Thank you to the supporters who travelled to get behind the players, and to the coaches, volunteers and sponsors who make everything possible.



📸 Winterburn Photography

Full time over in Keighley and our winning run comes to an end.

A great game between two top sides in front of a big crowd. Congratulations to our hosts on a deserved win and thank you for the hospitality.

Well done to our lads on a never say die performance. Two late tries settled the contest after we'd batted back to 16-10 half way through the second half.

Thanks too to the travelling fans who got behind our boys. ⚔️

HT

Keighley Albion 12
Mirfield Spartans 4

📍BD16

It's a huge game this weekend as we make the trip to face Keighley Albion. ⚔️

With Keighley 1st on 21, and us 3rd on 19 with a game in hand, this is a true high stakes top of the table clash, and the boys can't wait!

We were comfortable winners against Albion at home, but we know it'll be incredibly tough this weekend against a side who otherwise haven't lost this year.

As always, we'd really appreciate your support from the sidelines.

Crossflatts Cricket Club, Keighley Road, Crossflatts BD16 2ER

Team news to follow!



📸 Winterburn Photography

19 man locked in for tomorrow's trip to face Keighley Albion.

The boys are ready.

Please get across and support the lads if you can - Crossflatts Cricket Club, Keighley Road, Crossflatts BD16 2ER