The Yorkshire Rams clinched the NFC 1 North title with a determined 26–6 win over the Merseyside Nighthawks in wet and testing conditions at West Leeds RUFC. The victory moves the Rams to 6–0 on the season and secures a home playoff berth.

The game opened with a quick stop by the Rams’ defense, forcing a three-and-out. On the very next series, in torrential rain, Elliot Jackson burst through the defense for a 70-yard touchdown on 3rd down. Trish Sarkar added the PAT to make it 7–0.

A misfired punt snap on Merseyside’s next drive led to a turnover on downs after a key tackle from Ewan Harris, and the Rams added three more points via a Sarkar field goal. The Nighthawks began to put together a promising drive aided by a facemask penalty, but Tyler Broad came up with a timely interception to halt the momentum.

The Rams’ ground game remained the focal point, with Joey McEntee contributing on a big jet sweep. However, the drive stalled on a turnover on downs. Penalties hurt both teams in the second quarter, with the Rams giving up yardage on defense, but eventually stopping Merseyside on 4th down. The Rams again got into scoring range, but failed to convert as the weather started to ease.

As the two-minute warning approached, the Rams forced a punt from deep inside Merseyside’s endzone. On the next play, Jackson struck again with another touchdown run. The PAT was no good, making it 16–0. The Nighthawks drove into the red zone just before the half, but a final defensive stand by the Rams kept them off the board.

The second half began with a long return from Nathaniel Derrick, but the Rams turned the ball over on the first play via an interception. After another penalty-plagued Rams defensive stand, Merseyside connected on a deep pass to #22 for their only touchdown of the day. The two-point attempt was no good, making it 16–6.

Back came the Rams with more strong running from Jackson, helped along by a personal foul on the Nighthawks. Sarkar added his second field goal of the day to make it 19–6.

The Nighthawks pushed again but were stopped on downs, and the Rams were forced to punt for the first time. Merseyside returned the favour with a punt of their own, and a sustained drive from the Rams—highlighted by a key 4th-and-inches conversion and strong runs from Keimar Stuart—set up another Jackson touchdown. Sarkar’s PAT pushed the lead to 26–6.

Merseyside introduced a new quarterback late in the fourth, but a sack shared by Freddie Loach and Russ Polson led to yet another punt. Tyler Coare took over at QB for the Rams as the two-minute warning hit, though a fumble on a run gave the ball back to the Nighthawks with a minute to play. The Rams defense stood strong once more and the Rams closed the game with a kneel-down to seal the win.

The victory seals the NFC 1 North crown for the Rams — their first divisional title in over two decades — and confirms a home playoff game as the next step in an already historic season.