HIGH-FLIERS Askam will be looking to make it five wins on the bounce when they entertain Blackbrook, while Millom face a tricky visit to Wigan’s Ince Rose Bridge, writes PADDY McATEER .

In the Cumbria League Walney take on local rivals Roose Pioneers at Central Drive tonight. Hindpool go to Wigan for a North West Men’s League clash with St Pats.

Askam v Blackbrook

(Fallowfield Park, 2.30pm)

BARLA international Tom Wilkinson and former Raider Jamie Butler are back in contention for the Villagers who look to extend their unbeaten run to five with the visit of Blackbrook.

And while the St Helens side had a poor start to the National Conference Division Two season, losing their first four games, they have bounced back with three wins from four, including a 50-10 home win over Stanningley last week.

However, they come up against a Askam side who have the best defensive record in the division.

On the negative side, old warrior Barry Pugh is sidelined once more after breaking a hand in last week’s 38-18 victory at Dewbury Celtic. He joins long-term injured Tom Goffatt, Kris Tyson and Darren Gaskell, the former Raider being out for six weeks. Sam and Joe Dowsett are both on the treatment table and are rated 50-50.

Coach Mike Wilson said: “We look to carry on from last week following our win at Dewsbury.

“It was a good win as we knew we would have to overcome their sloping pitch which they are very good at playing on. I have to make changes from a good team display, but this year we have a strong squad and players can step in without disruption.”

Askam are second in the table five points behind unbeaten leaders Hunslet Parkside with a game in hand.

Walney Central v Roose Pioneers

(Central Drive, tonight, 6.30pm)

BOTH teams go into the game minus several players as unbeaten Walney take on a Pioneers side seeking that elusive first win of the campaign.

Mike Whitehead, Connor Pearce and Ethan Furness are all 50-50, carrying niggling hamstring strains, while Liam Finch is out for at least a further month, Jordan Staffieri is still out with a groin problem and Mike Backhouse is unavailable. Into the squad come James Finch and Brad Nicholls along with Josh Atkinson for his first outing of the season. Stu Tippett has a niggling ankle problem but should make the starting line-up. In a Pioneers camp lacking numbers Adam Batty and Corne Els miss out while Dan Sharp and Mark Bown are doubtful.

Into the squad come Euan James and Harrison O’Brien. Coach Steve Neale said: “Again it is going to be a tough one – it doesn’t get any easier.

“We only took 15 to Ellenborough last week (lost 48-12) a strong 15 but failed to win. We have to keep going and I can only ask for a good team performance asking the lads to compete.”

Ince Rose Bridge v Millom

MILLOM coach Tom Sibley was looking ahead to the visit to the Bridge with an air of confidence following their maiden victory of the season against Normanton Knights last week.

However he has been hit with a list of missing players. Out are Marcus O’Brien preparing for the BARLA tour to Jamaica, Ross Brookes (hand injury) Ian Armstrong and Chris Warren (work) Adam Kelly and Paul Carter (Super League Magic Weekend) Dave Thompson, Luke Brady and Jonathan Hodgson (unavailable) and Steve Dawson (knee).

Sibley said: “It was a good win over Normanton. I thought the narrow scoreline flattered them. We put on a good show and I was hoping to take that to Rose Bridge tomorrow.”

Wigan St Pats v Hindpool Tigers

TIGERS coach Phil Cubiss takes an under-strength squad to Wigan expecting a difficult assignment.

Missing from the squad who beat Latchford Albion 50-24 are Matty Archer, Tom Heighton, Adam Martin, Jamie McIlroy and Brad Wrightwebb. Brad Rowan is rated 50/50 and Lee Boyd returns.

Said Cubiss: “The squad is decimated and we are down to the bare bones with players at the Magic Weekend, working or at weddings, but that is the nature of summer rugby and we will go there with what we’ve got and look for a win.

“The improvement continued last week and now we need to carry that forward on the road,” added Cubiss.

“We are controlling games for long periods and our errors are reducing, but we are still guilty of dropping our intensity and switching off for periods. This invites teams back into the game and puts unnecessary pressure on ourselves.”