Everywhere you look in the National Conference there are key fixtures today for Cumbrian sides – from the Premier Division to the Third Division.
It’s crunch times at both ends of the tables as clubs prepare for important matches which could impact on their positions at the end of the season.
There isn’t anything bigger than the clash in the Premier Division between West Bowling and Egremont, the sides currently in the last two relegation positions although the Cumbrians do have four points more than their Bradford hosts.
Both sides were promoted last year but the battle to avoid the drop is still very open with seven games to go and virtually all of the lowest eight clubs currently on standings could be drawn into the relegation struggle.
Rhys Davies, the Egremont coach, said: “It’s a game we obviously could do with picking=up some points from but will take a massive performance,
“As I finally get some bodies back I also lose a few to injury which has been the story of our season so far, But we will go and give it our best shot as we have all year.”
Kells are only two points better off than their west Cumbrian neighbours and need a few more points before they can consider themselves safe.
They entertain League leaders Siddal this afternoon who have lost only three times this season, the last one being in West Cumbria at Wath Brow.
Kells coach Peter Smith said: “We have made a few little changes to our game and tried to simplify it but we know it’s going to be tough against the League leaders.
“I know, though, that if we improve in several areas we will be fine.”
Wath Brow still need points themselves in the closing weeks to banish any lingering thoughts that they may be in a relegation fight themselves, currently two points better off than Kells and having four on Egremont,
Tomorrow they travel to Rochdale Mayfield who are fourth, a place above the Hornets but six points better off.
In Division Two Barrow Island currently sit next to bottom and face a testing trip to promotion-chasing Oldham St Anne’s this afternoon.
Millom are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle, lying fifth bottom but only two points better off than the Islanders. This afternoon they are at home to second in the table Wigan St Jude’s so face a hard test when points are so vital.
Ellenborough Rangers are in a solid mid table berth but disappointed by recent home defeats. They make the trip to Dewsbury to play Thornhill Trojans this afternoon, Their hosts are just a point behind them with a game in hand.
Elbra coach Paul Gorge said: “I’ve had a few lads away on holidays recently but they are back this week and the lads who have come in for them did well so I expect to be taking a full squad to play Thornhill.
“It’s an important game, too, as we are sixth in the last play-off place and they can go past us with a win.”
If you thought all of those were crucial, wait until you read about what’s happening in Division Three where West Cumbria’s three teams have big games,
The top two clash, which means leaders Distington travel to East Leeds who are second, three points behind. They would actually be top because they have had four points docked because of fixture failures last season. However, Distington’s ace in the hole is they have a game in hand.
Head coach Aiden Worthington said: “It’s going to be tough going down there this week-end. They are a very good side and we are not at full strength as I reckon we have 16 players missing through one reason or another.
“We are bringing in a number of young lads and I expect them to put 100% effort into the game. There are some good prospects among them.”
Fourth-placed Drighlington entertain Hensingham who are third but the Cumbrians have a two point lead and also have three games in hand. Drighlington will only have two games to play after today.
Kris Coward, the Hensingham coach, said: “Obviously a big game for us. We know it’s going to be physical after the way they played up here but we want to play a bit of football as well.
“I wasn’t happy with the East Leeds defeat so I have challenged them in the last fortnight in training so if I don’t get a reaction then I won’t be happy.
“We are a victim of our own success in youth rugby in a way because we have two players currently in Serbia playing for Great Britain and now three Under-17’s have been picked for international games in France and none of those are available for selection.”
Finally Seaton are at home to Bentley and the Rangers will be looking to score their second win of the season, although are likely just to have 16 players mainly through injuries.
They will be without Lewis Mason for the next three matches as he picked up a ban for an alleged head butt in the last home game against Drighlington.
Coach Gus Frazer said: “I don’t know sometimes about these sort of incidents. Their lad cleaned-out one of ours after the ball had gone which sparked the brawl when players from both sides ran in.
“You can’t see Lewis butt anyone on the video but they decided he had and was suspended for three matches. It’s a blow because he’s a good player.
“But what makes me mad is that nothing happened to the guy who sparked the incident with the late tackle. Another Drighlington player ran 20 yards and tried to punch one of ours. Fortunately he ducked because if he hadn’t he would be lying there still.
“And I witnessed one of the worst chicken wing tackles I’ve seen in rugby league for a while on our Caine Barnes but the guy wasn’t punished – just poor Lewis.”
Frazer will miss the game because he will be on his way to Cornwall with Workington Town from a 7am start in his duties as an assistant coach.
“Maybe they will perform better when I’m not there,” he says but he knows his side will benefit from the inclusion of Kieran Mewse, one of the rugby union players in the squad who has been unavailable for the last three weeks.
