Last updated at 14:53, Friday, 27 November 2009

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AMATEUR RL

BARROW Island will look to boost their title hopes by hunting down North West Counties Premier Division leaders Rylands Sharks at Rating Lane tomorrow.

Millom look to get back to National Conference Division One winning ways in their home game against Thornhill, while elsewhere Walney Central, Roose Pioneers, Hindpool Tigers and Ulverston on the road in their respective divisions.

BARROW ISLAND v RYLANDS SHARKS

Rating Lane 2pm

ISLAND look to get back on track after three straight defeats, but they face another tough hurdle when the Warrington side visit Rating Lane.

The North West Counties League Premier Division leaders suffered their first defeat last week (22-8 at Simms Cross), so an interesting 80 minutes is forecast.

Island boss Paul Wilcock said: “We have dipped in form a little and must get back on the winning road. We have had trouble training over the last few days due to the weather and this can disrupt things. We could have won last week at Pillkingtons, but we lost possession on too many occasions.

“Lee Norman is out for a short while with a groin strain. He has been our man in form, but you couldn’t get a more reliable stand-in full-back than Matt Jefferson.”

Lee Haney could return along with Lee Edwards, but missing out is Aaron Low, who is off to Dubai representing BARLA.

MILLOM v THORNHILL

MILLOM suffered their first defeat in their last five outings, going down 14-1 in the National Conference Division One at Stanningley last week.

However, they aim to continue their fine home form when Thornhill visit Devonshire Road.

Coach Steve Woodburn, who was forced to take his place on the bench last week, said: “We are looking stronger for this game and, with our good form at home, are looking for a win. We were second-best at Stanningley, they were the best side, but we can win this one.”

Woodburn has no major injury worries, while Phil Jackson will be in the Middle East representing one of the BARLA sides in the Dubai International Sevens competition.

PILKINGTON v WALNEY CENTRAL

CENTS go down the same road as Barrow Island took last week, but they will be looking to go one better and bring the points back home in this North West Counties Premier Division game.

Coach Jan Elliott said: “We will go down to Pilks, play rugby and enjoy the day.

“They are a top side and realistically we are not expected to win.”

Tom Heavyside and Andy Herbert are expected to return to the squad.

HAYDOCK v ROOSE PIONEERS

PIONEERS coach Jim Perry is optimistic that his side can get a result at Haydock in the North West Counties first division.

He said: “If we take our win over leaders Bold Miners in our last game on the road, then we can pick up the points. We go down there quietly confident.

“They are always difficult to beat at home – their pitch is big and wide.”

Owen and Joel Williamson, Steve Perry and Steve Flannery are unavailable so coach Perry will add to his list after training.

WOOLSTON v HINDPOOL

HINDPOOL will have to be on top of their form when they make the trip to Warrington.

They face the NWC third division’s top side, who have won all eight games so far and look destined for promotion.

HARESFINCH v ULVERSTON

ULVERSTON can move fifth in the North West Counties Division Three table if they defeat Haresfinch.

Their hosts are on seven points, while Ulverston are a point behind on six.

First published at 12:56, Friday, 27 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk