WEST Hull head coach Mark Hewitt paid tribute to his side, after they beat Wath Brow Hornets 16-12 to be crowned National Conference League Premier Division Champions at Widnes. A first-half performance inspired by Scott Spaven and Kurtis Jackson helped Wests to a 16-0 lead, and despite two late tries from Wath, they ran out deserved winners in an enthralling Grand Final.
Wests play-off campaign has been surrounded by controversy, following Siddal's decision to withdraw from the run-in three weeks ago, but Hewitt believes his side have proved their critics wrong.
"We've had to endure a lot of criticism over the past three weeks, but it just goes to show what a great club this is with great character," said Hewitt.
"We've been away to Lock Lane, Thatto Heath and now we've beaten Wath Brow and it goes to show we deserve to be champions.
"The first 40 minutes we were outstanding, we had a 100 per cent completion rate and went forward and kicked well. We hung in there in the second half and I think we were deserved winners."
Former Hull KR half-back Scott Spaven was instrumental in the win, and he labelled the game the biggest of his career.
"I'm really happy, not just for me but for the lads, they've been brilliant this year," said Spaven.
"I've been very fortunate to be part of this team. I came about five, six games into the season and it's been a privilege to play with the lads, they've been outstanding.
"I've played two Super League games, but this is probably the biggest game I've played in.
"Yes it's at amateur level, but not many people get to play in Grand Finals and we've managed to win it."
In an action-packed first half, it was West Hull who took the lead in the fifth minute.
Spaven knocked a testing kick into the right corner, where winger Ash Rout was on hand to collect.
He flicked out an offload to Tom Radley, who dived over in the corner to make it 4-0.
Wests were over again in the 24th minute, following a contentious decision from referee Ian Scott.
Ryan Morrow got a magnificent one-handed offload out to Danny Swales, who grubbered through to Wath Brow full-back Ryan Amor.
Amor then seemed to trap the ball with his legs and collect legally, but the referee adjudged him to have knocked on, and awarded Wests a scrum 10 metres out.
And they took full advantage in the next set, as Spaven and Ian Kerman linked up to send Morrow crashing over.
They kept the pressure on with another clever kick from Spaven forcing a knock-on from Luke Davison, gifting Wests another set of six 10 metres out.
Spaven went close himself, and from the resulting play-the-ball, Jackson sent Alex Benson over from close range to make it 16-0.
Wath Brow got themselves on the scoresheet in the 66th minute, when Dixon's cross-field kick was juggled by Peter Caddy before the centre regained control to touch down.
And they were over again in the 72nd minute, when another Dixon kick caused trouble in Wests' in-goal area, with Richard Huby on hand to score an easy try and set up a grandstand finish.
In the final minute, Dixon's boot again caused problems for Wests, as they spilled another bomb. But, having received possession just 15 metres out, Wath dropped the ball themselves on the second tackle.
Wests then wound down the clock, before the referee blew for time, sparking jubilant scenes from players, coaching staff and fans alike.
