Last updated 12:06, Friday, 05 September 2008

JIM Perry’s boys step up to the first division of the North West Counties and have on board a new recruit in Ulverston’s big forward Ruairi McGoff.WITH Askam pulling out of the Conference several players have moved down the road to Kelland Park where they will be welcome, as injuries have already hit the club.IT is rebuilding time at Askam, a club without a coach and several players have defected elsewhere.OLD boys Liam Rooke and Lee Washington return to Brisbane Park.BARROW Island stalwart Craig McKinnon takes over the hot seat at Rating Lane with a squad that can go all the way in the Premier Division of the North West Counties.A FORMER Barrow RL trio return to boost the Walney squad this term.ALAN Moses remains in charge at Dragley Beck, ably assisted by Geoff and Mike Worrall and they will field two teams in the Barrow and District League.THE league are predicting a strong local competition following the return of Ulverston from the North West Counties, and the decision of Askam to pull out of the National Conference.

• View more pictures...

TADGE TAYLOR: New Millom chief

MILLOM

FORMER Barrow RL conditioner Paul “Tadge” Taylor takes the helm at Devonshire Road after Steve Mossop stood down at the end of last term.

Taylor said: “I am up for the challenge.

“It is something new for me to be a coach.

“Coming from the other side of things it will be totally different and it will be a learning curve.

“I will have Paul Lupton alongside as he is out injured until at least Christmas.

“We had our first Conference game two weeks ago against Shaw Cross, and though we lost we also had eight players missing.”

Back in the fold are Wayne Ruddy and Ian Armstrong two experienced players but Curtis Mossop will not play this season because of other commitments.

Taylor will look to the lads to consolidate in the first division after several years in division two and is keen for the youngsters at the club to push for a first team shirt.

Millom are away at Normanton tomorrow.

ROOSE PIONEERS

Perry said: “It a higher division and will be a good test for the lads.

“There will be lads from last year’s under 18s that will be pushing for places and competition will be good.”

Pioneers are at home to Wigan St Pat’s.

DALTON

Also on the plus side Ulverston’s experienced utility back Dave Thompson has come on board.

Coach Owen Richards said: “It is good to have a strong squad, while I admire Dave Thompson he is a good all-round player.

“Lads from the A team last year are in contention, like Danny Sayle and John Walsh, so we will be all out for promotion to the second division.”

Distington are tomorrow’s visitors in the first round of the Cumbria Cup.

ASKAM

Mike and Gareth Richards, Rory Marshall, Gary Bolton and James New have gone to Dalton, while Matt Parkinson, Mike Wilson and Darryl Groves are at Barrow Island.

Club secretary Jeff Coward said: “We have lost players and have to start again, but we are having good numbers at training with Ulverston stalwart Neil Atkinson joining us.”

HINDPOOL

“We had some good results last season and played good rugby, but we tended to fade in the second half.”

The Cunningham brothers will be missing; Steve will be at University while John’s work takes him out of town.

Hindpool are home to Saddleworth.

BARROW ISLAND

McKinnon said: “It will be a new experience but I am receiving plenty of support from the like of Paul Haythorn and Anthony O’Kane plus others.

“It will be a challenge and along with having a strong A team the club is in good shape.”

Island got off to a good start by defeating holders Millom in the first round of the Barton Townley.

WALNEY CENTRAL

Coach Jan Elliott said: “It is looking good. Experienced players have returned to assist the many talented youngsters and we aim to go higher in the table this season.”

ULVERSTON

All clubs are reminded to ring Jeff Coward on 01229 466541 on the Saturday with results and scorers this week and next.

BARROW AND DISTRICT

Meanwhile, Barrow Island will be at home to Roose, and Walney Central entertain Ulverston in the semi-finals of the Barton Townley Cup (dates to be arranged).

Tonight Dalton meet Hindpool (6.30pm) in the Frank Reid Cup, a competition which excludes former professionals.

Tomorrow Ulverston tangle with Millom and Askam take on Roose Pioneers. Barrow Island beat Walney 26-24 on Wednesday.

l Barrow and District squad to play against Whitehaven and Workington at Askam on Wednesday, September 10 (7pm kick-off) is as follows.

Barrow Island: Aaron Low, Sam Jones, Dean Morgan, Andy Cairns, Lee Edwards, Lee Haney, Matt Jefferson, Mike Wilson, Joe Elliott. Ulverston: Alistair McGregor, Mark Dixon. Hindpool: Phil Cubiss. Roose Pioneers: Lee Edmondson, Dan Sharp, Glen Philips. Millom: Tom Sibley, Graham Lupton, Craig Wilson, Nathan Mossop, Dane Kelly, Andy Dawson. Walney: Nathan Strefford. Coaches: Darren Carter and Paul Crarey.

All players are asked to turn up for training at Dalton at 6pm on Monday, September 8.

FIXTURES

Tomorrow: National Conference Division One (2pm): Normanton v Millom.

North West Counties Premier Division: Barrow Island v Bank Quay.

Division One: Roose Pioneers v Wigan St Pat’s, Walney Central v Folley Lane.

Division Three: Hindpool Tigers v Haresfinch.

Cumbria Cup round one (2pm): Dalton v Distington.