Egremont come up against familiar opposition tomorrow – determined for a different result.
They entertain West Bowling, last season’s Division One champions with whom runners-up Egremont were promoted to the Premier Division.
Coach Rhys Davies said: “We’re back at it after the Easter break against West Bowling who beat us home and away last season.
“We know they are a quality side but we owe them one this week-end, especially with it being our home match.
“We’ve had a nice break over Easter and I’ve got a few bodies back who didn’t play in our last game at Thatto Heath so I’m confident we can go out there and get the job done.”
It’s been a tough start for Wath Brow with two defeats already and they have a stern test tomorrow when they travel to champions Hunslet ARLFC.
This is just the sort of game that can bring the best out of the Hornets against a powerful home side who were held to a draw before Easter when they were in west Cumbria to play Kells.
As for Kells they have a home game tomorrow against a Rochdale Mayfield side who were once regarded as something of a bogey team.
“They are a strong side at this level, packed with players like Hunslet have so if we can get a similar result, if not better then we will be pleased.
“We will have Dylan Grears missing, and there are a couple of other to look at with knocks, but we are confident after the Hunslet result and I’m looking for a big performance,” said Kells coach Peter Smith.
In Division Two Ellenborough Rangers are away to Normanton Knights who will present tough opposition on their own pitch.
The Elbra lads put in some stiff hill-work at training on Tuesday – enjoying the views over the Solway at the same time – and have been playing well so far since their promotion.
Coach Paul Gorge said: “We have a few lads missing through work commitments this week but we will still be taking a strong squad.
“Normanton have some powerful forwards so we will have to match them down the middle and try and get the ball wide when we can.”
Normanton are fourth in the table, one place and one point better off than Gorge’s side.
Both the south Cumbrians in Division Two are also on the road with Millom travelling to Shaw Cross Sharks and Barrow Island visiting Wigan St Jude’s, which represent two tough games.
Millom visit the League leaders who are 100% from their four matches so far while the Islanders visit the second-placed side who are two points behind the Sharks.
In Division Three leaders Distington don’t have a game and Hensingham will be hoping to join them in pole position when they make their longest journey of the season to play Beverley.
Head coach Kris Coward watched them win a strange game at Distington two weeks ago and has prepared his troops accordingly.
“We have to play to our strengths and pick-up on their perceived weaknesses, but one of the things we need to improve on is our discipline giving needless penalties away, still getting to grips with the new rules.
“Two of our lads can’t travel because of shift work and another couple still are suffering from knocks picked-up in the last game against Seaton but we have plenty to pick from these days. Lads who have come in before have stood up to the plate.
“But they’ve also had a bit of a laugh at my expense. I was fortunate enough to go through my pro career with relatively few injuries but nine days ago in training I kicked a rugby ball and ended up turning my ankle badly. I’ve been hobbling around ever since,” said Coward.
Seaton Rangers also have a trip to Yorkshire when they take-on Drighlington and coach Neil Frazer will be taking eight teenagers in his squad.
Frazer said: “We have lads at work, on holiday or injured so we are bringing in some of the younger lads who have shown promise and it will be very good experience for them.
“We also have Scott Faulkner back and he will start at prop. He’s a big lad who has played for Glasson and Workington Zebras, while we have Sam Blair available again after completing a four-match suspension held over from last season
“Drighlington have said they won’t be playing on their own pitch but we will be using Morley rugby union ground. I’m sure that will be a big pitch so it will be up to use to make it tell and move the ball around a wbit.
“We had our first on-field session this week and although most of the things I was doing was new to them they took it on board and worked well.”
