HARRY Warman Cup champions Askam begin the defence of the their crown with a tricky trip to Dalton tonight.

Askam sit on top of the Barrow and District League table going into the cup tie, and claimed victory over Dalton at Kelland Park last week in a hard-fought tie.

Both sides were reduced to 11 men, with four players given their marching orders, as Dalton threw away a 16-6 half-time lead to lost 22-18.

The Villagers were the first to score in the first minute, when Brad Jackson went over and converted.

Dalton took the upper-hand, with Tyler Batty (2) and Lee Parks crossing the whitewash, and Joe Crarey kicking two goals.

In the second half, Askam turned the screw, moving the ball at pace, and Brad Jackson, Taylor Carter and Keir Shepherd all went over the whitewash.

Jackson added two conversions, and all Dalton could muster was a Crarey penalty.

Also in cup action tonight, Walney host Roose Pioneers, with both sides starting with eight points on the handicap in a game that could go either way.

Both sides like to play fast, open rugby, though that did not help Roose as they lost out 22-0 to Barrow Island last week.

It was only in the later stages that the Island came good, with Pioneers having pressed their line for long periods but unable to break down the defence.

Aiden Wright (2), Tyler Lancaster and Declan McDonald were the Island try-scorers, with Callum Dale kicking three goals. The win kept them joint-top of the league with Askam.

Island are away to Hindpool tonight. The home side have a 10-point start, which they may well need following a 56-16 loss to Walney last week.

Mattie McKee lead the way for Walney with four tries, with others coming from Jacob McPoland (2), Frazier Livesey (2), Jacob Helyer and John Corkill. Dave Nicholson kicked seven goals and Livesey landed one.

For HindpoolCraig Regan, Jordan Mason and Brad Rowan were the try-scorers. Shannon Coleman and Connor Goodings each kicked a goal.

Tonight's Fixtures: Harry Warman Cup: Dalton (5) v Askam (2), Hindpool Tigers (10) v Barrow Island (0), Walney Central (8) v Roose Pioneers (8).