IT’S derby day with a twist for Baildon and Bradford Salem this Sunday as both sides go head-to-head in the Yorkshire Shield final.

This is the first year that Jake Duxbury’s Baildon have entered the final stage of the competition – albeit following two walkover wins against Pocklington and Keighley – and they come into this one as firm underdogs against a Salem side who play in the division above (Counties One Yorkshire).

However, Duxbury’s side are ready to put it all on the line at Doncaster Knights (where the game will be played) to claim a historic victory.

He said: “We are all really looking forward to it no matter how we got there, which is always going to be a matter of debate. It’s going to be the biggest cup game the club has had in its recent history, so from the club’s perspective it’s huge, it’s exciting and it’s a fitting game to round off everything that we’ve worked for this season.

“To win anything is massive, so to win something so prestigious in Yorkshire would be a dream. On a personal note, I grew up down at Ilkley at my local club and on the wall of Ilkley’s old clubhouse there was a picture from when the club won the Yorkshire Shield in 1994, and on that picture was my dad lifting the trophy for Ilkley. So, on a personal level there is a full circle that could be completed, and it would be a brilliant way to end the season for myself and the team. We are all up for it and ready to take on the challenge.”

Baildon had a remarkable campaign finishing second in Counties Two Yorkshire – their highest ever league finish – but they are coming up against a Salem side who had their strongest season in five years as they finished sixth in division one.

Despite Salem’s decision to relieve Glenn Morrison and Neil Spence of their coaching duties come the end of the season, Duxbury believes that the politics of the pair’s sacking won’t influence Bradford’s performance.

He said: “Yes, I don’t see it impacting Salem’s flow very much because at this level it doesn’t have the same affect as it would have on a professional team, let’s say. For us and them, Sunday will all be about the rugby and anything in the background will be pushed behind. Glenn and Neil are here until the end of the current season, so they’ll want to finish in the best way possible, and that would mean beating Baildon in the Yorkshire Shield final.

“We come into this game as underdogs and I’m sure Bradford will look try to make us feel that way, so we won’t be expecting anything other than a solid performance from them. As a team, we need to make sure that we focus on ourselves because that’s what I’ve tried to coach into the players from day one. If we play our own game then the rest will follow; it’s no good focusing on Bradford and what they can and can’t do. We must show courage and character if we want to give ourselves a chance of winning this historic game.”

Baildon’s fixture with Bradford will be one of four matches to be played at Doncaster Knights on Sunday as part of ‘Yorkshire Finals Day’, with the West Yorkshire derby game kicking off at 3pm.

Beforehand, Hornsea take on Mosborough at 11am for the Yorkshire Vase, while Hemsworth face West Park Leeds at 1pm for the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.

Baildon and Salem face off at 3pm before Sandal take on Middlesbrough at 5pm for the Yorkshire Cup in the final game of the day.

Tickets are priced at: adults - £10, concessions - £6, while under 18's go free.

Tickets for the day can be purchased at the ticket window on Sunday or online at - https://www.drfc.co.uk/tickets/