Wath Brow Hornets will be looking to extend their winning run this afternoon when they visit Wigan St Judes in the National League Premier Division.
Ian Rooney’s side lie fourth in the table and have only lost three times – all to the teams above them in the standings.
As this is largely a season of transition, as younger players are bedded into the system with the first team, that’s a very promising start to the season.
St Jude’s came up from Division One last season and are making a reasonable fist of it with four wins so far, and will provide a decent test for the Cumbrians.
In Division One Kells will travel to Shaw Cross Sharks as leaders following last week’s impressive win over previous leaders.
Coach Peter Smith said: “We have a few lads away again but we feel we are taking a strong squad down there and we are looking to keep our good run going.”
Kells haven’t been beaten since the first game of the season when they lost at Egremont.
The Rangers are fifth but level on points with the team in third place, as they prepare to host Wigan St Patrick’s.
It should be an interesting clash, too, as St Pat’s are level on points with the Cumbrians but from a game less.
That game less is because they failed to fulfil a fixture with Dewsbury Moor and were fined £500. They also face the prospect of being docked points.
Tom Houghton misses out for Egremont having pulled his hamstring in last week’s narrow victory over bottom side Oldham St. Anne’s. As a result Jayden Tyson will move to full-back.
Ben Cain, who picked up a freak hip injury, is replaced by Kaiden Block on the bench.
Coach Danny Barker said: “We have been given a massive boost with the return at stand-off of Kristian Tyson who has been our for nearly 10 months with an injury.”
There are only four games in the Cumbria Conference as the game between Barrow Island and Ulverston has been rearranged.
Top game could be at Distington where the home side, who toppled Hensingham last week, entertain the unbeaten Dalton who have been impressive throughout the early games.
Distington coach Ryan Hodgsonn said: “We still have quite a long list of injuries but the spine of the side remains the same from last week at Hensingham.
“Bailey Worthington will again be on England duty as he prepares for the upcoming internationals.
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing the league leaders who have started the season very well.”
Dalton have been starting to build up injuries themselves. Top try scorer Tom Farren has picked-up a knee injury in the win over Seaton while Ioan Hayes is missing because of a hamstring strain.
Floyd Tweddle misses out with an ankle injury while Cavan Armstrong remains sidelined with a leg fracture.
Tom Sharpe, Elliot Bibby and Pat Kelly all return after being unavailable last weekend with club captain Joe Crarey expected to get a run off the bench after returning to full training this week.
“We have promising youngsters Rio York and Ry McDermott running out for the England Community Lions this week-end so we wish them all the best,” said coach Paul Armstrong.
There’s another good game in prospect when Ellenborough host Millom at Solway Park.
Ellenborough will be largely unchanged from last week’s big win at Hindpool with a couple of possible additions to the squad.
Millom coach Brad Crellin said: “We have a couple more injuries from last week but Rio McQuistan comes back and Jack Park will start at stand-off.
“Layton French comes onto the bench with Oliver Thompson moving to full-back from centre.”
Seaton will be looking to perform much better than they did at Dalton last week after a first-half described by coach Neil Frazer as the worst 40 minutes he’s ever seen.
Hensingham will have Jay Weatherill in on dual registration from Whitehaven but Koby Conway and Luke Charlton drop-out of the squad because of pre-booked commitments.
Rylan Templeton and Kier Starkie are unavailable due to duty with the England Community Lions.
Coach Andrew Smith said: “For both sides this weekend we still have several missing through injuries and unavailabilities but it gives opportunities for individuals coming into both sides.”
The other game sees Hindpool hosting Maryport with both teams going into the game on the back of defeats.
Hindpool coach Kev Kyte believes his players have shown a great response from the bad result and training has been bouncing.
He said: “Back from holiday are our two young talented wingers Kori Hayes and Rocco Scarpone and we also welcome back Connor McDermott, Reece Craig and Keiran Sharp.
“We will have a strong 17 out so it’s up to these lads to get the bounce back.”
Mark Foster, the Maryport coach said: “Although Hindpool have struggled recently they will no doubt have highlighted this game as very winnable so we will have to go down there with a very good attitude and put in a much better performance than last week to come away with the points.”
Returning to the Maryport squad are Ellis Nixon, Ryan Morris and Luke Cuthbertson but Keenan Winter, Attlee Skillen and Kieran Featherstone are unavailable from last week when they lost at home to Millom.
Malik Steele, Danny Dryden and Joel Baker are still unavailable with Chris Ivison being out for the season with a dislocated shoulder.
Seventeen-year-old forward Clayton McCormick will make his first team debut after some eye-catching performances for the A team while 18-year-old Finley Moore will be 18th man.
Another two youngsters are involved – 17-year-old winger Tyler Chilton keeps his place while 16-year-old full-back Bobby Bell is also in the squad.
