Wath Brow Hornets coach Ian Rooney will have a simple message to his players ahead of their Conference League clash.
The West Cumbrians entertain Premier Division champions Hunslet ARLFC a week after toppling the League leaders Siddal 10-6 at Giel Park.
“Same again please” will be Rooney’s request to the Hornets team after they delivered their best performance of the season when they beat Siddal.
It was total commitment with no quarter asked or given and it had to be as Siddal were on a nine-match winning run.
This has been a low-key season for the Hornets so far with six wins and six defeats on their record, but they will undoubtedly make progress if they can replicate Saturday’s effort.
Egremont and Kells don’t play because they brought forward their clash at Gillfoot to Challenge Cup week-end when they played on the Friday night. Egremont won that and both clubs are two points behind Wath Brow in the table.
Ellenborough Rangers head the Cumbrian challenge in Division Two and they can make further progress after a visit to Pilkington Recs. Their hosts are third bottom with only three wins from 11 games.
“We have a couple of lads on holiday but there’s another two coming back in and that’s the way it often is.
“However, we are taking a strong squad and looking forward to keeping our winning run going. We beat them at home but nothing is guaranteed for away games but we will be giving it our best shot,” said coach Paul Gorge.
Millom are a place and three points behind Elbra and face a tough test tomorrow when they travel to leaders Shaw Cross Sharks.
Barrow Island are next to bottom but one of three sides on six points and will be anxious to get another win on the board when they entertain mid-table Dewsbury Celtic.
The top two sides in Division Three, Distington and Hensingham don’t play but Seaton Rangers do – and coach Gus Frazer is struggling again for numbers for the game to Leigh East.
Just look at what Gus has had to contend with this week – five players at a Festival in Croatia; prop Jordan Pritt is away on a stag do so two team-mates have gone with him; three are at work; two are on holiday; one at a wedding and four are injured.
Frazer said: “We had 13 available on Wednesday but a couple of older lads who played years ago have said they will help us out. Also, Johnny Stoddart who used to play for Ellenborough and Egremont has signed on for us.
“A few lads will be playing out of position as well so we will just have to go and give it a go and see what happens.
“We haven’t had a game for three weeks and everyone would have been available last week. But it is what it is, and you just have to get on with it.”
