LEIGH Miners Rangers will make history in February, when they take part in the first ever National Conference Charity Shield as a curtain raiser to the 2014 league season.

The contest, which pits the Premier Division champions against the Conference Challenge Cup winners, was the brainchild of the Miners club and has been embraced by the NCL management, who have dedicated the competition to the memory of the late Steve Prescott and determined that funds raised from the day will go to the Steve Prescott charity fund.

Having competed in the inaugural BARLA National Cup final, the Conference League Cup final and the Conference Challenge Trophy final - winning all three - it will be another groundbreaking first for the Twist Lane club, who successfully defended their knockout cup crown with a crushing derby win over Wigan St Patricks in the LSV final.

Miners will face league winners West Hull, who claimed their first championship title for more than 10 years by defeating Lock Lane, Thatto Heath and Wath Brow in the final.

The two sides shared the points last term with each winning on their opponent's turf and it should be another thriller to whet appetites ahead of the new season.

The game will be played at the neutral venue of Stanningley's Arthur Miller Stadium in Leeds on Saturday, February 15, kick off 2pm.