Champions - Belief, Brotherhood and a League Title for Skirlaugh U18s
There are moments in rugby league that stay with you long after the final whistle.
For Skirlaugh U18s Head Coach Carl Puckering, Sunday afternoon was one of them.
The final whistle didn't just confirm another victory. It confirmed Skirlaugh U18s as 2026 League Champions — the culmination of a season built on belief, commitment and a group of young players who came together and turned themselves into a team.
Under 18 2026 League Champions
“The feeling was unbelievable,” said Puckering.
“Seeing the lads' reaction and their parents' reaction at full-time will stick with me forever. Myself and Wats shed a few tears.
“We did it the hard way. Not many teams go to champion sides away from home like West Hull and Birstall in consecutive weeks and win. In both those games we came from behind.
“That was probably the most pleasing thing. We did it off our own backs. We didn't have to rely on other results — it was all our own hard work and commitment as a group.
“Credit has to go to the players. It's all down to them.”
From Rivals to Teammates
Perhaps what makes the achievement even more impressive is where this Skirlaugh side started.
This wasn't an established team that simply carried on from the previous season.
Players arrived from different groups, including those stepping up from Lee Waterman's U18s side and two U16s teams whose players had spent much of the previous five years competing against one another.
Carl has a slightly different way of describing it.
“You ever seen the film Mighty Ducks? Well, it was a bit like that!
“No one apart from ourselves gave us a chance. We had a lot of 18s from Lee Waterman's side last year and then two U16s sides who'd gone against each other as rivals for the past five years. Ultimately, we were a brand-new side.”
That meant the coaches' first job wasn't necessarily rugby.
It was creating a culture.
“When we first sat down together as a group, their first goal was silverware — and that came from the lads, not us. That was their own goal.
“From that moment, all we did was turn up for each other and believe we could achieve what we'd set out to achieve.”
What followed was a season of remarkable consistency.
Skirlaugh went unbeaten away from home in the league, something Puckering believes says everything about the character within his squad.
“We are hugely proud of the lads. They've been consistent all season and they 100% got what they deserved by winning the league title.
“To go unbeaten away from home in the league shows the character and commitment the players have shown all season.”
The Moment It Became Real
Belief had been there from the beginning.
But even in a championship season, there are certain performances that make everyone realise just how close the prize has become.
For Carl, that came away at West Hull.
“We've backed ourselves and believed all season. However, beating a very tough, physical and well-drilled West Hull side in their own backyard a couple of weeks ago was when it really hit home.
“We became one step closer.
“We just went after it as a group, and when you've got a squad of lads who believe it can happen, turn up for each other and buy in every week, it makes it so much easier.”
It wasn't the only defining moment.
Earlier in the campaign, Skirlaugh suffered the disappointment of defeat away at West Bowling in the Yorkshire League Cup semi-final.
It could easily have derailed their season.
Instead, it strengthened it.
“West Bowling away was a tough pill to take. It's always tough on the road, but we felt we were up against it that day and, in several people's opinions, were very unfortunate not to come away with the result.
“But the resilience and attitude of the lads to put that behind them and not dwell on it was fantastic.
“The week after, they came to our place and we put 40-odd points on them.
“Momentum really shifted from that point.”
Connected in Everything They Did
Ask Puckering what separated his side from the rest this season and the answer isn't a particular player, tactic or performance.
It's their togetherness.
“Probably our togetherness, commitment and attitude to work hard for each other.
“We were connected in everything we did. I've not seen a bunch as tight-knit as these lads.
“They've turned up for each other week in, week out. Some sides have had to pull fixtures due to unavailability, but we've travelled across Yorkshire with numbers every week.
“That's a massive credit to the players and, of course, their parents.”
That togetherness has been matched by development on the field.
“The improvement has been incredible to watch — not just individually, but as a team.
“The confidence, commitment, skill, discipline and belief have grown week after week.
“From where they started to where they've finished, the difference is massive. They should all be incredibly proud of what they've achieved.”
The Pathway to Open Age
For Skirlaugh, the significance of this season stretches beyond the league trophy.
U18s represents the final stage of youth rugby and an important bridge into the club's Academy and Open Age setup.
“U18s is massively important,” Carl explained.
“You get two years at it, so the transition into that next step becomes a natural one. Especially because we go against the Open Age lads in training sessions — you become familiar with what you're stepping into.”
And the pathway isn't theoretical.
Players from this championship-winning squad are already making that progression.
Mason Gore, Harry Walker and Harvey Dickson have all represented the First Team, while captain Jack Johnson, alongside Reece Batty, Alfie Kay, Riley Smith and Ashton Cowper, have stepped into the Academy setup.
The performances of the U18s have also resulted in Mason Gore, Harry Walker, Harvey Dickson, Reece Batty, Jack Johnson, Jake Hargreaves, Ed Mills and Zak Nelson-Hewitt being invited into the First Team environment for the remainder of its push for promotion.
For their coach, seeing that progression is every bit as rewarding as lifting silverware.
“We back all our lads to make that step and some already have.
“To see so many of them rewarded for their performances and being asked to step into the First Team environment for the remainder of their season is really rewarding.”
It is also evidence of something increasingly visible across Eastside.
A pathway.
“Skirlaugh is a club on the rise and the youth plays a huge part in that.
“We have teams at all ages, so the pathway is already in place.
“Winning at U18s is massive because ultimately it's your last year at 'youth rugby'. It shows the pathway we have is very strong.”
More Than the Players on the Field
Championships are won on the field, but successful youth teams require an enormous amount of work away from it.
Puckering is quick to make sure those people receive their recognition.
“Without the commitment and support of my sidekick Lee Waterman, this season wouldn't have been possible. We've done absolutely everything together.
“Craig Pickering, who joined the staff during the season, has been massive. Daz Hewitt, our physio, never misses a beat. Rich Mills, our game-day manager, has been amazing throughout.
“And then there's the man behind everything that happens, our team manager Phil Batty. Wow — we'd be lost without Phil. He's played a huge part this season. Myself and Wats are on the phone to him daily; I bet we do his head in!
“Without those people, ultimately, we don't have a team.
“And a massive shout-out has to go to the parents as well, who've backed and supported us throughout the season.”
A Feeling They'll Never Forget
Years from now, results and individual games may begin to blur.
But there is one moment Carl believes this group will always remember.
Sunday afternoon. The final whistle. And the realisation that they were champions.
“I hope they remember that with a bit of hard work and some belief, anything is possible.
“But we know one thing that will stick with them forever — that feeling on Sunday afternoon when the final whistle blew.”
So, what comes next for the League Champions?
“Well, what came next was that we celebrated, as you can imagine!” Carl joked.
“In all honesty, some will move up to Open Age and some have another year at 18s.
“But I know they don't want to be apart.
“If they all stick together, then in years to come you've got the makings of a very, very good First Team.”
For now, though, the future can wait.
A group that began the year as players from different teams — in some cases former rivals — finishes it together.
Skirlaugh U18s. 2026 League Champions.
A title earned their way, through their work, their belief and, above all else, by turning up for each other.