WYKE are aiming to retain the Jack Senior Memorial Bradford Cup for the first time in over 50 years tomorrow as they take on Clayton in the final.
The black and whites ended a long wait to lift the Bradford ARL trophy last season, producing a superb comeback to beat Wibsey 26-21 at Odsal after being 20-6 behind.
They have also made an unbeaten start to their Yorkshire Men's League Division Two campaign and are currently in top spot after scoring close to 100 points in two wins.
However, they will be ceding home advantage to Clayton, with the showpiece being switched from its traditional venue at Bradford Bulls to their Lidget Green Oval ground.
Clayton, who count Bulls prop Ross Peltier among their former players, were the last team in the area to compete in the Pennine League winter competition in which they finished the season fifth in Division One.
They reached the final thanks to a thrilling 31-26 win over Odsal Sedbergh when Sam Wainwright was the hero with a hat-trick, Karl Robinson also bagging a brace.
Spirits are high off the pitch following recent work at the club, including the installation of a new central heating system and a general makeover which means their Lidget Green base looks in fine fettle for the big game.
Wyke reached the final thanks to a 20-6 win over West Bowling A in which debutant Nathan Marchant stole the show with two tries.
That was before their league season started and coach Ian Wormald has been pleased with the way his side have not been distracted by the final.
He said: "With the final looming I asked the players to put everything out there these last two weeks and forget about the final, which they have.
"I’m certainly impressed with what I have seen and it has given us the start we need to challenge in what will prove to be a tough league.
"Me and Daniel Barraclough now have some tough decisions to make ahead of this week's final, but with the strength in depth we have I know we will be leaving some quality players out.
"However with the buzz around the squad I’m confident everyone will get behind the players selected."
Wormald added: "Although we have an away game as a final, which is not down to Clayton but the committee who run the Bradford Cup, we go there in fine form and more than capable of causing an upset.
"But I’m certainly conscious that Clayton have a quality team and are capable of beating any team on their day."
Tomorrow's final for the cup, sponsored by Hudson Foster, kicks off at 2pm.
Elsewhere, none of Bradford’s National Conference League sides are in action, and in the Yorkshire Men’s League only three sides have fixtures.
In Division Two, Keighley Albion are on the road at Skirlaugh Bulls, and in Division Three Birkenshaw Bluedogs welcome St Joseph’s, while Guiseley Rangers face Leeds Akkies in a friendly.
In the Women’s Super League, Bradford Bulls are in Easter Monday action when they make the trip across the Pennines to face St Helens with both sides defending unbeaten starts to 2019.
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