Kells have drawn their last two home games against two of the leading sides in the National Conference Premier Division.
Now they prepare for a third successive tough fixture as West Hull make the long trek from Humberside.
The Whitehaven side drew with leaders Hunslet ARLFC and joint second Rochdale Mayfield, and are now set to host West Hull, who are also joint second.
It’s a tough run of fixtures and coach Peter Smith is expecting a response from tomorrow’s visitors.
“They got beat at home last week by York Acorn so they will be keen to get the two points back from us.
“We know it’s going to be tough and it will likely depend on small margins but we are ready for the challenge,” he said.
Wath Brow Hornets are not used to life in the bottom half of the Premier Division but three wins and three defeats so far pins them to seventh.
They also have a nil points differential having scored 112 points, but conceded the same number.
No question of where coach Ian Rooney’s priorities lie – for although that’s the fourth best attack in the League, it’s also the fourth worst defence.
Buoyed by a late derby win over Kells last week they face a tough test at Siddal, the third team occupying joint second – although they take second in the table on points differential.
Egremont Rangers travel to play one of the joint seconds in Rochdale Mayfield (fourth on points differential).
It’s been a solid enough start for Rhys Davies’ men back in the top flight and last week’s 40-10 home win over Lock Lane put them into the top half of the table in sixth.
Davies said: “It’s obviously a tough away trip against a Rochdale side which is normally big and physical.
“We have to make four changes from last week due to work commitments and a wedding but the lads are in high spirits and we will give it a good go.”
In Division Two all three Cumbrian sides have home games, and ones they believe they are capable of winning to consolidate their positions.
Millom, fresh from a home derby win over Ellenborough, welcome Thornhill Trojans who appear to have stopped the rot after two successive relegations.
They are immediately below sixth-placed Millom in the table, two points behind but with a game in hand. Two years ago they were playing in the Premier Division.
Ellenborough are level on points with Thornhill, but also from a game more, and tomorrow the Allerdale side entertain Dewsbury Celtic.
The visitors have only lost once in six games and sit third in the table a point behind joint leaders Shaw Cross Sharks and Wigan St. Jude’s.
Ellenborough coach Paul Gorge said: “We have to make a couple of changes because of holidays and work commitments but we will be fielding a strong squad.
“The lads have trained really well this week and we are just looking to be competitive, as we have been so far, but just get that little extra for a win.
“We haven’t been beaten at home for a long time and are proud of that record which we want to keep going.”
The third Cumbrian side Barrow Island have a key game at home to Saddleworth Rangers.
The visitors are in the third relegation place at the moment with just the one win to their name, but only two points behind the Islanders.
There’s another Cumbrian derby to savour in Division Three where Seaton Rangers entertain Distington.
Distington are joint leaders with Hensingham while Seaton are next to bottom, still looking for their first win.
Distington coach Aiden Worthington said: “Obviously we’ve started the season well and Seaton haven’t but we will try to play our normal game and not the occasion.
“We are putting out two teams this week-end which is good and the first team has been given a lift by the inclusion of Jordan Scott.
“He’s a Whitehaven rugby union player and comes to us when their season is over. It’s also the first time we’ve been able to include Gavin Martin who is a proven try scorer.”
The Seaton coach Neil Frazer added: “We couldn’t get on the pitch for training last week because it was waterlogged but it had dried up nicely for training last night.
“We have two lads look after the ground now and they do a fantastic job.
“They don’t come any bigger than derby games and we are really looking forward to this one. Distington have been together for a while now and have lots of experience.
“Aiden Worthington has done a great job as coach and in a player like Scott George they have someone to take them round the park.
“I went to watch them last week and picked up a couple of things which we have been working on.
“I have a few lads back from injury and will be able to have more middles on the bench. It gives me the chance to move Lewis Brown, our best middle, back there after he’s been playing back row.”
Hensingham face a tough test at East Leeds who have won all four games so far but only two of them count because of point penalties imposed from last season.
Kris Coward, the Hensingham coach, said: “We have to go down there and make sure we compete. They have a couple of ex-pros and some young lads who have been with pro clubs so it will be tough.
“We have been working on a couple of things in training this week, particularly around the ruck area.
“There have been a couple of lads down with illness this week so I will be waiting to see how they are, but we will be taking a near full-strength side.”
