There’s a vastly reduced programme in the National Conference League this weekend.
It should have been a free week but clubs who have had matches postponed get the opportunity to catch up.
Kells’ opening game of the season at Heworth was called off because of a waterlogged pitch so they will travel to York – and on a recovery mission.
The Whitehaven side have played well in games against two of the top sides, Hunslet ARLFC and Rochdale Mayfield, earning draws at Kells, but were off the pace on Saturday losing to another of the leading teams West Hull.
Heworth are newly-promoted but currently sit one place above Kells, although only on points differential – which is -22 to -32.
Head coach Peter Smith takes his side there knowing a win would lift them level with fellow Cumbrians Wath Brow and Egremont, who both have six points.
Smith said: “West Hull controlled the play-the-ball better than us and had more conviction. You cannot disrespect the tackle and discipline in this Division otherwise you will get what we got off West Hull.
“But we move on and travel to Heworth looking for a performance and hopefully learning from Saturday. We have a couple of lads missing, but that’s going to happen a lot as the season progresses and we just have to live with it.”
Bottom side West Bowling entertain York Acorn on Friday night looking for their first win and then alongside Heworth v Kells the only other Premier Division game on Saturday is next-to-bottom Lock Lane at home to Siddal.
There are two games on Saturday in Division Two and Barrow Island are involved, travelling for a tough test at Shaw Cross Sharks who are 100% in their six matches so far.
The Islanders have won three and lost three and will be heartened by last week’s 28-24 home win over Saddleworth Rangers.
Saddleworth are involved in the other game with a home fixture against Thornhill Trojans.
There’s one game in Division Three which will be watched closely by leading Cumbrian pair Distington and Hensingham.
They share top four spots with Drighlington and East Leeds who meet in what promises to be a particularly hard-fought contest. East Leeds have the home advantage.
