WESTHOUGHTON Lions took the race for the play-offs to the final day of the season with an impressive 38-4 victory at home to Cadishead Rhinos.

Geoff Sheehan's side are fifth in Division Four of the North West Men's League, two points behind Garswood Stags in the fourth and final play-off place.

Both teams play their final games of the regular season a week on Saturday, with the Lions hosting title contenders Manchester Rangers and the Stags at home to Bury Broncos A.

Westhoughton must win against the Rangers – who beat them 42-22 in the reverse fixture and could need a victory to be crowned champions – and hope the Broncos do them a favour at Garswood.

They will also need a 21-point swing to claim fourth place on points difference.

"It is great that we have taken it to the final game, but it is not in our hands now," said Sheehan.

"We are relying on Garswood to slip up, but if they do then we have to make sure we are able to take advantage.

"I set the team a challenge to win our final five games to get into the play-offs.

"We have not quite managed that, but we can make it four from five by beating Manchester, so let's try and at least end the season on a high."

Rangers are second in the table, level on points with leaders Chester Gladiators, who have a game in hand.

If Chester win at Bury Broncos this Saturday they will win the league, due to a vastly superior points differential.

"Whatever happens with Chester, Rangers will still need to beat us on the final day to secure the second promotion spot so we will face a difficult test, no matter what," added Sheehan.

Promotion is out of the Lions' grasp. The top two earn promotion, with only the divisional trophy at stake in the end-of-season competition.

But Sheehan says Westhoughton are already planning for a tilt at promotion next season, blooding youth prospects James Texieria, aged 16, and Taylor Hyland, 17, in their victory over Cadishead.

"Taylor was unlucky to have a try ruled out after the referee judged him to have been dragged into touch before putting the ball down," said Sheehan.

"But both James and Taylor performed really well.

"We are trying to bring the youngsters through when the under-17s coach thinks they are ready."

Youth coach Jimmy Haydock played alongside his young proteges in the win against the Rhinos, scoring one of eight Lions tries.

Centre Chad Boyce scored four, while Ryan Berry touched down for his 33rd of the season. Sam Pennington and Dan Edwardson also got on the scoresheet and Shaun Markland was named man-of-the-match for a string of assists.

Elsewhere in the league, Little Hulton Reds finished second bottom of Division Three with a 60-0 defeat at home to runaway leaders Pilkington Recs A, who finished their campaign with a 100 per cent winning record.