AFTER failing to fire in the league, Millom look for cup success tomorrow.

Roose, Barrow Island and Ulverston continue their Cumbria League seasons, with Hindpool seeking form in the North West Men’s League.

MILLOM v FEATHERSTONE LIONS

(Devonshire Road 2.30pm)

ETHAN Kelly is back to boost Millom’s chances of victory over Featherstone Lions in the first round of the National Conference Challenge Trophy.

The BARLA international – one of the top front row forwards in the country – has cut short his 12-month adventure Down Under and arrived back this week.

Kelly was set to have a training session with the Woollybacks last night and, if all is okay, he will be in the squad to face Jamie Rooney’s 17.

Kelly was the mainstay of the Woollybacks pack as they gained promotion from Division Two, along with the Lions, and his presence will be just the tonic as life in Division One is proving difficult, with no wins from six outings.

The big, powerful forward has put a broken leg suffered three years ago behind him and leads from the front.

Coach Tom Sibley said: “Having Ethan back is massive. He is a top forward and, providing he comes through training, he will be in the 17.

“We are expecting a tough game and, though we lost 46-24 to Hunslet Warriors last week, we did put up a fight and scored two late tries.

“We went 18-0 down but came back at 24-16 before they pulled clear, and we will look to build upon that tomorrow.

“Last year we had two good games with the Lions so it is going to be an interesting game, as it will be next Saturday when we visit them in the league.”

Luke Brady, Paul Carter and Owen Myers are back after missing last week, with Jonathan Hodgson 50/50 with a hamstring problem.

Ross Brooks and Marcus O’Brien (shoulder injuries) and Steve Dawson are ruled out.

ROOSE PIONEERS v DISTINGTON

(Redwaters 2.30pm)

PIONEERS welcome Cumbria League leaders to Redwaters and look for an upset in the top-versus-bottom clash.

The West Cumbrians top the tree with five wins from five while the home side have lost all five.

Coach Steve Neale has been working hard to get 17 men on board, but work commitments and injuries – along with Furness rugby union being involved in a semi-final – sees his task being a difficult one.

Neale said: “It has been difficult raising players with one thing and another but we will get a side to play.”

Adam Batty and Johny Sloane are unavailable while cricket calls for Dillon Brown and Mark Humphries.

GLASSON v BARROW ISLAND

SECOND-PLACED Island go to Glasson who ran Walney close last week in a 22-16 Cumbria League defeat.

Matt Parkinson returns, while Matt Sayle, Aidan Wright, Dan White, Richard Chatfield, Andy Cairns and Gareth Shaw are ruled out.

Island coach Joe Elliott said: “We have a lot missing but this will give the younger lads knocking on the door a chance. This is their opportunity. We will compete and we are always improving.”

WATH BROW A v ULVERSTON

MATTY Storey and Liam High return for the trip to the west of the county, along with Gareth Knowles and Josh Proctor.

However, Adam Mills, Liam Saunders and Brad Williamson are unavailable. The forward line is boosted by Knowles and Proctor, who both return after missing all last season. Knowles had a spell Down Under, while Proctor took a break.

Coach Phil Atkinson is aware it could be a tough Cumbria League encounter, as his team go into the game on the back of two defeats.

He said: “It could be a difficult one. They are not a bad side and, with no first-team fixture this week, they may throw one or two into the frame. We will have to get our discipline right. Against Barrow Island it was very poor and we must also sharpen up our approach and play smarter. If so, we can get the two points.”

HINDPOOL TIGERS v BANK QUAY BULLS

(Brisbane Park 2.30pm)

HINDPOOL entertain Bank Quay Bulls in North West Men’s League Division One looking to rediscover their form.

The Tigers have gone downhill since their opener against Bamber Bridge, but have players back in the squad tomorrow.

Stuart Travers, Callum Dale, Brad Rown and Jamie McIlroy are back after work commitment issues, with Matty Archer, Mike Kummer, Tom Heighton and Connor McDermott recovered from injury.

There are doubts over Scott Beattie, who hurt his ankle last week, while Scott McGuckin and Adam Martin miss out through work.

Coach Phil Cubiss said: “We have had a real dip in form and things just haven’t been sticking. The mood in the squad is still quite high and I am positive that we can start putting in some improved performances and the results will start to come.”

l Craven Park is the venue tonight as Askam take on Walney in the final of the Frank Reid Trophy (7pm kick-off).