Wibsey Warriors coach Jason Hirst insists his players are in it to win it ahead of their first ever BARLA National Cup final against Pennine League champions Sharlston Rovers tomorrow at Flyde RUFC.

It is the first time since Dudley Hill 27 years ago that a Bradford-based amateur club have reached the showpiece event.

But Hirst, who is in his first season in charge at Northfield Road, believes that the season can only be judged a success if they can take home the trophy back from Blackpool.

“No one is giving us a chance, but we’re not going there for the occasion – we’re going to win,” said a focused Hirst.

“People say that it’s a good day out going over to Blackpool, but me and the players know that it’ll only be a great occasion if we win.

“It’s obviously great news for the club and I’m not trying to sound negative, but that’s the reality of the situation. If we go and get beat we will be disappointed.”

Warriors, who came sixth in the Pennine League Premier Division, caused one of the biggest upsets in the competition when they beat Hunslet Old Boys in the semi-finals.

However, Hirst knows that Sharlston will pose an even bigger threat, with the Wakefield outfit hoping to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.

He said: “We beat them earlier on in the season at our place but we were stuffed over there by 50 points, so we know what we’re up against.

“They have threats all over the field and are a really good side at our level. They can run you over through the middle and they’ve got a lot of strike players on the edges who can score tries for fun.

“They don’t have a weakness, they’re strong from one to 17 and we’ll have to be at our best if we want to beat them.”

“They’re also in their third final on the trot so they’ve also got all the experience going into the game.

“We’re obviously massive underdogs, we know that as a team and I think it should suit us.”

Hirst was also quick to praise the way the club is run since there decision to have an open age team back in 2004-2005.

“It’s a massive achievement from everyone involved here and it’s testament to them really and not me.

“It’s a culmination of their hard work over the last few years seeing this club progress.

“The decision to go into open-age eight years ago was a huge one and it’s proved to be a success.

“The previous coaches and club staff laid all the foundations here and I’ve just seen the fruits of their labour come together this season.

“The next step for the club is to win it and that’s the only thing on our minds because we all don’t want to let ourselves down in such a big game.”