The St. Helens Glass Lancashire Cup is set for an explosive finale with
a mouth watering local derby in prospect on Tuesday 21 December at Knowsley
Road. Cup veterans Thatto Heath are set to take on local rivals Haydock
who are making their first appearance in a Lancashire County Cup final.

It will be the sixth time in ten years that Thatto Heath have made it
through to the final, collecting the trophy on no less than three occasions
in the same period.

The final will be the fourth time the pair have met this season, with
Thatto Heath holding the upper hand with two wins to one. The victory
by Haydock right back at the beginning of September came under controversial
circumstances with the referee declaring a 28-28 draw at full time whilst
the Haydock players were celebrating a two point victory. After the viewing
of the video and consultation with club officials, Thatto Heath graciously
conceded the defeat and the win was given to Haydock. However, Thatto
Heath wasted no time in gaining revenge over their neighbours by dumping
them out of the Millennium Trophy at Blackbrook 18 - 6 and by beating
them by a margin of over 20 points in their second League encounter.

Haydock arrive at the final after convincing victories over Burtonwood
Bridge, Hindley, Widnes Albion and Leigh Miners Rangers, with perhaps
their toughest encounter coming in round three where they met fellow North
West Counties Premier Division title contenders, Halton Simms Cross. Haydock
toughed out a 12-10 victory despite a resurgence by the Simmies in the
dying minutes. It is this type of determination and commitment that will
give them their best chance on cup final night. The players most likely
to be a thorn in the side of Thatto Heath are the half back pairing of
Craig Haughey and Mark Boland who have really been firing this season
as a partnership. The pair are full of guile and inventiveness and will
be hoping to provide chances for their backs out wide as well as opening
up the gaps for the forwards down the middle.

Thatto Heath arrive at the final after victories over Portico Panthers,
Halton Hornets, Leigh East, Bank Quay Bulls and a semi-final extra time
thriller against Widnes St Maries. Lancashire County flying wingman Mike
Woods grabbed a hat-trick against St. Maries and will be hoping that he
can carry his form to Knowsley Road. Thatto Heath will also be hoping
that captain and powerhouse prop Martin Horton can recover from an injured
ankle in time for the match. Always leading from the front, Horton has
been inspirational before his injury and his presence will be missed if
he is unavailable. Providing a steadying hand in midfield will be long
standing club man Darren Harris, who will be bringing all his big match
experience to bear.

A large local crowd is expected for the final and with everything to
play for the passion on the field will only matched by the passion off
it.

The Road to the Final

Round 1

Thatto Heath 24 Portico Panthers 22

Burtonwood Bridge 6 Haydock 44

Round 2

Halton Hornets 18 Thatto Heath 26

Haydock 40 Hindley 4

Round 3

Thatto Heath 38 Leigh East 24

Haydock 12 Halton Simms Cross 10

Quarter Final

Bank Quay Bulls 12 Thatto Heath 26

Widnes Albion 17 Haydock 29

Semi Final

Thatto Heath 24 Widnes St Maries 14

Haydock 28 Leigh Miners Rangers 12

Lancashire Cup - Previous Winners

1973-74 Pilkington Recs 23 Folly Lane 13

1974-75 Mayfield 32 Woolston Rovers 2

1975-76 Leigh MW 20 Wath Brow Hornets 4

1976-77 Pilkington Recs 17 Leigh MW 0

1977-78 Pilkington Recs 12 Latchford Albion 0

1978-79 Leigh MW 10 Crosfields 2

1979-80 Millom 9 Wath Brow Hornets 2

1980-81 Pilkington Recs 33 Rose Bridge 3

1981-82 Leigh MW 35 Saddleworth 9

1982-83 Rose Bridge 25 Crosfields 5

1983-84 St Patricks 9 Mayfield 7

1984-85 Waterhead 18 Blackbrook 0

1985-86 Simms Cross 21 Haresfinch 0

1986-87 Blackbrook 12 Pilkington Recs 5

1987-88 Leigh MW 22 Farnworth ROB 4

1988-89 Thatto Heath 32 Leigh East 12

1989-90 Thatto Heath 12 Leigh MW 10

1990-91 Leigh East 29 Thatto Heath 13

1991-92 Leigh MW 21 Langworthy 25

1992-93 Thatto Heath 16 Woolston 14

1993-94 Thatto Heath 4 Woolston 10

1994-95 Oldham St Annes 2 Woolston 10

1995-96 Woolston 19 Oldham St Annes 12

1996-97 Thatto Heath 12 Woolston 10

1997-98 Waterhead 12 Wigan Rose Bridge 6

1998-99 Orrell St James 20 Parkside Golborne 12