FORMER Raiders team-mates Mike Whitehead and Jamie Butler go head-to-head at Craven Park tomorrow as holders Walney take on Askam in the Barton Townley Cup semi-finals.

Following this clash, the double-header sees Millom take on Ulverston in a feast of rugby league.

Admission is £4 for adults, with concessions £2 and children £1.

Askam v Walney

(Craven Park, 1pm)

HOLDERS Walney face a tough hurdle as they bid to reach the Barton Townley Cup final for a fourth successive season.

They face an Askam side who have started their campaign with a victory and a draw in National Conference Division Two. Cents’ only Cumbria League game so far was at Roose Pioneers, where they were pushed all the way.

In the Cents camp, Mike Elliott is set for his first outing of the season following a knee injury, while Ethan Furness is a possibility after niggling injuries have kept him on the sidelines. A back problem rules out Blain Devlin.

It is uncertain whether Liam Finch will play. He could have work commitments, but one player facing his former club is Stu Tippett, who has overcome a serious leg break last season to re-join Cents from Dalton.

Coach Shaun Morrow said: “Having Tippett back on board has been great for the club. He brings loads of experience to the side. He has been a big signing this season.

“It will be a good game. Askam are a good side with loads of experienced players and I am looking forward to the Elliott-Dowsett clash – two very good hookers.”

For the villagers work commitments rule out Joe Dowsett and Tom Goffatt, while Kris Tyson is doubtful as he awaits a return in Askam colours after his 12 months at Barrow. However, back in contention are Dan Sayle and Russ Bolton, who missed last week’s trip to Stanley.

Coach Mike Wilson said: “It should be a great game. Walney are a good team but we have started well ourselves this year and had a good hit-out with them pre-season, we are quietly confident.

“Our pack has led the way this season. We are very strong up front. Getting Sam Dowsett back from Australia has been a bonus. He is in top form.”

Wilson will miss the hard-working Joe Dowsett, but has the experienced Barry Pugh back after a lengthy lay-off through injury. He will be part of a strong set of forwards led by Tom Hopkins.

At half-back, Mark Tyson and Adam Jackson will have an interesting clash with Brad Nicholls and Jamie Morrow, while old stagers Butler and Whitehead return to their old stamping ground.

Referee: Terry Bewle. Touch judges: Nathan Johnson and Jordan Rosconie.

Millom v Ulverston

(Craven Park, 3pm)

MILLOM welcome back Tom Sibley, who missed last week’s defeat against Underbank due to a bout of flu, the symptoms that this time rule out Joe Shaw.

Matty Palmer is doubtful with a knee injury, otherwise it will be a similar Woollybacks squad, with Liam Brady included in the 17.

Sibley is anticipating a tough game, with Ulverston having registered two wins from two in the Cumbria League so far.

He said: “We are expecting a hard game. They have started well and we haven’t. We will have to buck up our ideas. Silly mistakes have proved costly this season (in three defeats from three games), it has been a little frustrating.

“Last weekend we were caught cold on the fifth tackle on a few occasions so we have worked on that in training this week. No way will we be taking them lightly. They will be up for it just as much as we are.

“I am looking for a dry pitch where our second-rowers Warwick Carter and Steve Dawson can open up and cause problems.”

Ulverston boss Phil Atkinson has a massive selection headache and going to press he still could not finalise his 17-man squad.

A wedding in the camp and other commitments rule out several players, including Marc Dixon, Tom and Jake Spedding, Steve O’Connor, Scott Houston and Jamie Sandham.

Atkinson said: “I have no idea what team I will put out, but the lads that come in will not let me down. We must be massive under-dogs with the position we are in but we will give it our best shot. We have started well in the league so that will put us in good stead. I would have been pretty confident with a full-strength side but I have faith in those that will come in.”

Referee: Rob McAloone. Touch judges: Jonathan Langhorne and Steve Parkin.

Barrow Island v Hensingham

(Rating Lane, 2.30pm)

DAN White is missing for this Cumbria League clash as he returns to Hawcoat Park for rugby union duties.

But on the plus-side, Matt Sayle will return, along with Matt Parkinson, while another plus sees Joe Spencely come in for his first game. The dynamic hooker/half-back has been unavailable due to his university studies.

Coach Joe Elliott said: “Hensingham are totally unknown to us, so we will take it as it comes. There is a good feeling at the club this season with numbers up. We are all going in the right direction.”

Roose Pioneers v Seaton (Redwaters, 2.30pm)

DON Stewart and Aaron Pike come into the Pioneers 17, but three men are unavailable in Mark Bown, Dan Sharp and Ben Livesey.

Coach Steve Neale feels that first win is imminent, saying: “I have a feeling that we can get a win tomorrow. They haven’t had the best starts for a team that did so well last season.

“And though we have lost our opening two games, there are signs that we have played some good rugby in attack. We have been exposed in the back line where we are not at our strongest, but Don Stewart will tighten up that area.”

l In the Frank Reid Cup last weekend, Dalton defeated Barrow Island 29-18. Tries for Dalton came from Tom Sharpe (2), Zac Pearson (2), Tyler Batty and Ryan Johnson, who added two goals plus a drop-goal. For Island, tries came from Gareth Morgan, Aaron Palmer, Declan Rogers and Mason Strickland, with one goal from Declan O’Donald.