Wigan St Jude’s v Askam

ASKAM are back at St Jude’s in the National Conference Division Two play-offs just one week after going down 32-30 to the Wiganers in the final league game of the season.

Tomorrow Askam aim to go one better and book a place in the play-off final, as they aspire to be playing Conference first division rugby in 2018.

However, they go into battle minus top forward Tom Hopkins who is unavailable along with Adam Jackson, Joe Satterthwaite Marc Dixon, Russ Bolton and Tom Butler.

Back in the fold come Mark Tyson, Jake Spedding and Keir Shepherd, with Liam Saunders 50-50 due to an ankle injury.

Coach Mike Wilson, who retires at the end of this season’s campaign, is not looking at ending his stint as head coach this weekend.

He said: “We can make it despite having key players unavailable. The list is endless, but the lads that are on duty have all played Conference rugby this season and are more than capable of pulling it off.

“We were a little unlucky last week and I feel we can go through to the final. But we must be fully focused in our approach get our defence right and keep the penalties down.

“The lads who play know what is expected of them and if we complete our sets then we could do it.”

Eastmoor v Barrow Island

WIN or lose, Island will round off their season with an overnight stay and enjoy the end of their first campaign back in the Conference set-up.

Coach Joe Elliott said ahead of the Division Three match: “We will go and enjoy the day, and have a good night out after a reasonable re-entry into the Conference.

“It has been a learning curve for all of us which puts us in good stead for next season.”

Josh Banham, Matt Parkinson and Ellis Gillam are back after last week’s 60-0 thrashing by Woolston, but unavailable is Jake Stockdale.

Tonight’s Ivor Kelland Cup final between Askam and Barrow Island has been postponed.

Barrow and District League award winners

Mark Coward player of the year: Joe Crarey of Dalton and Aidy Wright of Barrow Island; Youth player of the year: Keir Shepherd of Askam; Phil Kyle Clubman of the year: Joe Thompson of Barrow Island; Rob Livesey award for dedication: Steve Taylor of the Barrow and District League; League Champions: Barrow Island; Harry Warman Cup Winners: Ulverston; Top Four Cup winners: Askam; CJS Knockout Cup Winners: Hindpool.