Lutterworth RFC are hoping to mark their ‘momentous’ 150th anniversary in style as they take on Percy Park in the Papa Johns Men’s Regional 2 North Plate​ Final on Saturday. 

The clash is one of eight Papa Johns Community Cup Finals to take place at The Darlington Arena across the weekend as the competition’s inaugural season reaches a thrilling conclusion. 

The Leicestershire outfit have already had plenty of memorable moments across their landmark campaign and chair Cat Hirst believes silverware would be a fitting reward. 

“It is fantastic to cap off what has been a spectacular season by seeing our men’s first team in a cup final,” she said. 

“We are all riding high. It's always a little bit nerve wracking coming into such a big season and the 150th year but everybody has pulled together, from the social committees through to the players themselves - they have all performed exceptionally throughout. 

“We had a 150th anniversary celebration dinner in April, which Martin Johnson, David Trick and RFU President Nigel Gillingham attended, and we have an annual ball coming up which is a really big marquee event. 

“The lads have really enjoyed the new Papa Johns competition and I couldn’t be prouder of them. We have a coachload of 50 of us heading up there for the final and we’re really looking forward to it. Hopefully we put in a good performance at a wonderful stadium.” 

Over 500 clubs have competed for a place in one of the 29 finals across the women’s and men’s game during the inaugural season of the Papa Johns Community Cup, which was created to provide a crescendo to the end of the grassroots season, keeping players engaged and giving clubs a chance to compete for silverware whatever their final league positions. 

Lutterworth have been dominant en route to the final, conceding just one try, but this weekend’s opponents Percy Park, from North Shields, impressed in a 42-20 semi-final win at Birkenhead Park and will be well backed in the stands. 

Chairman Tim Walker said: “It’s only an hour down the road for us, so we’ll have plenty of supporters. 

“One of the buses heading down will be full of our juniors and around 20 of our squad have come through our minis and juniors and it gives those coming down to watch something to aspire to. That’s what it’s all about. 

“They [Lutterworth] will clearly be a force to be reckoned with but we’re not a bad side either, so it should be a good one.” 

Burley’s clash with Thornton Cleveleys kicks off Saturday’s action, with Wath Upon Dearne taking on Ripon and Aldwinians going up against Widnes in the latter two finals. 

On Sunday, Rolls Royce entertain Bury, Bramley Phoenix go head-to-head with Belper and Newcastle (Staffs) do battle with Huddersfield Laund Mill. 

The last final of the weekend in Darlington sees Newbold-on-Avon take on Winnington Park for the right to be crowned Men’s Regional 2 North Shield​ winners and Paul Dean, chairman of Winnington Park, is looking forward to the showpiece occasion. 

“It’s definitely up there in the history of the rugby club,” he said. 

“We played Wasps in the quarter-final of the Pilkington Cup in 1996 and were regular Cheshire Cup winners in the 1990s, and it would be very enjoyable were we to win this competition. 

“They [Newbold-on-Avon] look pretty good, similar to us, and we're looking forward to a great game.” 

For team’s that win their Papa Johns Community Cup Final matches, they won’t only be able to take home the coveted trophy, they will also be entered into a ballot to win a visit from a Red Roses Coach & a free Papa Johns pizza order. 

Entry to all of the finals is free to the public. For more information about the Papa Johns Community Cup finals at Darlington Arena visit Papa Johns Community Cup Finals (ticketco.events)