Two of West Cumbria’s three National Conference are in a desperate fight to maintain their Premier Division status.
Egremont Rangers are bottom of the table with four games to go, but only two points off the safe fourth bottom spot.
Kells currently occupy that position but only because they have a marginally better (-111 as opposed to -112) points differential than Heworth and West Bowling (-130).
Both have tough away fixtures tomorrow – Egremont in particular as they go to leaders Siddal – while Kells travel to third-in-the-table Rochdale Mayfield.
Egremont have had shocking luck with injuries this season after their return to the top-flight and it has certainly affected their performances.
Coach Rhys Davies said: “At the moment I’m just happy that we are getting enough players to see out the fixtures.”
As an example of their problems the A team has pulled out of the Cumberland League.
Kells have also suffered through injuries, highlighted by the fact that their Cumberland League game with Maryport tomorrow was conceded.
“We have four games left and we just have to get some points on the board. They look tough, but they are all tough at this level so that’s not anything new,” said head coach Peter Smith.
Wath Brow, the third Cumbrian side in the top Division, will likely contest the play-offs in fifth or sixth place.
They are also on the road tomorrow and have an interesting clash in prospect at York Acorn who are currently just two points behind the Hornets. It’s sixth versus fifth.
Big game in Division Two is the south Cumbrian derby between Millom and Barrow Island.
The Woollybacks will be looking to make home advantage tell and pull further away from the Islanders and the relegation zone.
The Barrow Island side can ill afford to lose this one as they occupy the final relegation place. Bottom side Myton Warriors look doomed while Saddlesworth are on the same number of points as the Islanders.
Ellenborough Rangers are desperate not to be dragged into a relegation battle over the last four games. They probably still need to win two of them to be safe.
Tomorrow they go to Dewsbury Celtic who are fourth in the table and virtually assured of a play-off place.
“We have played well in most of our matches and have been a bit unlucky on some occasions not to see the games through for the points,” said coach Paul Gorge.
In Division Three Distington need to beat Bentley to keep pace with East Leeds who are level on points at the top.
Crucially Aiden Worthington’s men have a game in hand so as long as they keep on winning over their last four games they will take the title.
Worthington said: “I’ve asked for a performance from the lads and I’m looking forward to them delivering.
“There have been a couple of things to change late in the week, but that’s par for the course, and we have a really strong squad available with plenty of choice.”
Seaton had to cancel last week’s trip to Featherstone Lions because of players unavailabilities but they are ready to return to action tomorrow at home to League leaders East Leeds.
