RYLANDS edged out Latchford Albion at Victoria Park to book a spot in the Stuart Middleton Foundation Cup final.

Sharks came out 14-12 winners as Luke Gillooley and Carl Lloyd tries opened up a 14-point advantage, before Lewis Wightman and Ryan Hickman replied.

The higher-ranked opposition went in ahead at the break, but it took until the half hour mark for Gillooley to pounce on a loose ball and Jack Lewis add the extras.

Lloyd increased the lead after the break and the centre added his second soon after.

But a sin-bin for Sean Boyle gave Albion fresh impetus and they replied with Wightman racing over.

Five minutes later Liam Kennedy gave the field position for Danny Brown to send Hickman in, Wightman converting.

But it was Sharks who held on for a cup final outing at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in August.

Rylands coach Matt Wilson said: “We made hard work of it. For 65 minutes we controlled the game excellently, our defensive effort was outstanding but we are just not quite clicking with the ball.

"Our delivery and execution was way off where it needed to be again but games like that are all about character and showing grit and we shown then in abundance.

"We were over the whitewash four times in the first 20 minutes and didn’t score that shown the dominance we had but on another day we may of paid for it.

"It wasn't pretty but Rylands are in the Warrington Cup final for the first time in a long time and I just want to thank the players for their efforts.

"That’s three wins from four, so we will enjoy our week off, freshen some bodies up and then prepare for West Bank next week."

Latchford director of rugby Mick Byron added: “I am proud of the club and everyone involved, we hosted an event with around 450 spectators who enjoyed the great facilities we have.

"Our young team showed credit on and off the field with their conduct and again showed what a great future we have at Latchford.

"Watching the game you would never have known they were opposition from a higher division as we matched their intensity and but for a little bit of composure we could have taken the victory.”