Pilkington Recs First Team reset their target of last year of trying to get back into the NCL Premier Division.
They were close to achieving that goal, but lost in the playoff semi final against Milford Marlins at Ruskin Drive.
They entered the 2019 season determined to go one better.
The first game of the season was against York Acorn, a side that had just finished outside the playoffs last time out. What followed, was one of the games of the season, as Pilks eventually ran out 36-30 winners.
This started a run of eight straight wins to start the season. This included two wins against Saddleworth Rangers and impressive results against Milford and Myton Warriors.
As always with a title charge, there is a little wobble and it came in the middle of the season, as Pilks lost four out of five games on the road, including at York Acorn and Featherstone Lions, the two sides who Pilks were competing with for promotion.
But just a week after that defeat in North Yorkshire, the lads had the chance to redeem themselves against promotion rivals Featherstone.
It was a tough game, but Pilks came through 26-10, after trailing 10-8 at the break. And there was a feeling that the belief was coming back into the squad after a testing couple of weeks.
Then came the opportunity to take that belief on the road, as they travelled to a Milford side hoping to keep their promotion hopes alive. An 80 minute titanic tussle followed and Pilks came away with a 24-18 win, thanks to a late moment of magic from centre Ian Stanley.
Pilks were also given a boost that day as the Lions and York Acorn had both lost ground, meaning Pilks were just three wins away from a return as the champions of Division One.
They came through their two games at home, against Oulton Raiders and Wigan St Patricks unscathed, meaning they travelled to Stanningley, knowing a win would be enough to secure the Championship.
It wasn't to be an easy game, Stanningley were headed by professional coaches Jordan Lilley and Ashton Golding, and were on a real crest of a wave. No one expected them to do anything that season, but they were challenging for a home playoff spot and had a very impressive record at home.
As predicted, it was a real topsy-turvy game, but a last minute try from Jonathan Frodsham sealed victory for Pilks, which triggered wild celebrations as the lads confirmed promotion with a game to spare.
There was still one game to go, and Pilks were able to complete a full season unbeaten at Ruskin Drive, with a 64-2 win over Normanton Knights.
During that game, Jamie Smith, who was playing his last game in the Red, Amber and Black, scored a hat trick to finish as the top try scorer for the league leaders.
It was the perfect way to end a history making season for Pilks, they had never been promoted from top spot before.
As ever, at the end of the season, we would like to thank our sponsors, for all their support this season. See more about them below:
Hattons Travel https://www.hattonstravel.co.uk/
AMDEC Forklifts http://www.amdec.co.uk/
LMTravel https://www.facebook.com/lmtravel.sthelens/
O'Neills https://www.oneills.com/uk_en/