Pirates ready for biggest ever game

Player-coach Adam Lee, who has also led the Eastway -based side to the Group 1 league title this season, is looking to complete the double this weekend at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford Tigers’ home ground, 1pm kick-off.

Lee said: “We have been training hard since the season finished last month and the lads are up for the game on Saturday, especially as our last game of the season saw us draw 22-22 at Hunslet deep into injury-time.

“This is the biggest game since the club was formed back in 2000 but the lads will not be overawed by the big occasion or the big ground as a lot of them have played at this stadium and many others like it with Hull FC or Great Britain amateur teams.”

The Pirates will be without two key players for Saturday’s showdown.

The coach added: “Props Billy Parker and Sam Millward are both ruled out of the play-off, and they are key players who have been on top form for us this season so that is a huge blow.

“Billy is unavailable for selection, while Sam is still sidelined by a head injury from the latter stages of the league season.

“But the good news is that Sam will be on the touchline with the rest of the coaches on Saturday, and his experience at a higher level will be invaluable to us.”

When the two sides met in July in the league the Pirates romped to a 64-28 success, but in the 22-22 draw at the West Yorkshire club at the end of the season the Scarborough side were without several key players, including winger Regan Stirk, who is back in action on Saturday.

The Pirates have organised two 49-seater coaches to Castleford and there are still a handful of places up for grabs.

Tickets cost £12 and admission to the final is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

If anyone wants to head to West Yorkshire to cheer the lads on they should call Lee on 07525088487 to book their seat on the bus.

The player-coach added: “With the two coaches and plenty of people heading there in their own cars to support us we should have a good following.”

The Pirates will have a final short training session tonight, known as the captain’s run-out, followed by a shirt presentation and then a meal at the Crown Spa Hotel.