ONE of South Cumbria’s biggest RL rivalries is renewed once more in the Cumbria League tomorrow.

Barrow Island host Walney with little to separate the sides in the division as the season approaches the final stretch.

Elsewhere, Ulverston and Roose Pioneers are both on home turf in the same division, with Millom and Askam travelling in the Conference.

BARROW ISLAND v WALNEY CENTS

(Rating Lane, 2.30pm)

ISLAND coach Joe Elliott is trying to pull out all the stops to prevent a third successive win for the Cents in matches between the side this season.

Walney triumphed at Rating Lane early in the season in the first round of the Barton Townley Cup and also in the league fixture at Central Drive.

Ahead of the second against third Cumbria League clash – with Island ahead on points difference – Elliott said: “It’s going to be an interesting game.

“Both teams will be up for it and it will be a battle up front, where we must muscle up and get the better of them.

“Both teams like to play open rugby, so once either set of forwards get on top, the ball will move wide.”

He added: “We didn’t give the best account of ourselves in the two previous games, though the Barton Townley was played before the league season was under way.

“We were second best at their spot, but in the last two or three years we have won the league games at home, so we are quietly confident.

“We are going well this season and are in the process of building for the future, while Walney continue to produced the players from their conveyor belt.

“We have prepared as well as we can and, with a big crowd expected, it could be a close result as both teams are capable of not giving up the chase until the final whistle.”

Island are strengthened by the return of leader Richard Chatfield, along with Scott Hadwin and Chris Burns, and wait to see if Andy Cairns can get time off work.

Walney welcome back the Elliott boys, Mike and Matt, along with Mike Whitehead, but Liam Finch, Jordan Staffieri, Jamie Morrow, Jamie Ralph and Ethan Furness are unavailable.

Coach Shaun Morrow said: “It will be a good game, a typical derby match.

“As always, both teams will raise their game. We will be looking for our third win this season as we are chasing Distington for top place.

“We have to play them twice, so we need the points from this one.”

ULVERSTON v MARYPORT

(Dragley Beck, 2.30pm)

ULVERSTON play their first game since June 20 and look to complete the Cumbria League double over the Port following a 30-28 victory in the west of the county.

Coach Phil Atkinson said: “Maryport will be coming down here to get one over on us for that defeat at home, so we are aware of the threat, especially from full-back Scott Akehurst, who has rejoined them from Workington.

“Akehurst had a great game last time out, so we will target him as he is a real threat.

“I am looking for a third win on the trot, so we will have to make sure we get it right in the defensive department.”

Back for Ulverston are Jake Spedding and Liam Saunders, but Marc Dixon and Scott Houston miss out, with Atkinson still to finalise his 17-man squad.

ROOSE PIONEERS v WATH BROW HORNETS A

(Redwaters, 2.30pm)

PIONEERS boss Steve Neale is blessed for a change to have at least 19 players at his disposal for the visit of the Brow’s second string in the Cumbria League.

Joe Mallinson, Dan Sharp and Rhys Studt return to the fold, though Jack Torkington is unavailable.

Neale said: “I have a slight selection headache for a change, which is nice, but we won’t misjudge the Brow as they are going really well this season for an A-team.

“They are a young and eager set of players, so it will be a tough one, but I feel we can win this one and hopefully we can put a few wins together and be very competitive.”

SADDLEWORTH v ASKAM

ASKAM returned to winning ways with a 42-0 success at Staningley in National Conference Division Two last week and aim to pick up a further two points on their travels when they go over the Saddleworth Moors.

Coach Mike Wilson said: “We had a good win last week and nilled them, which was pleasing, but it will be far tougher tomorrow.

“We are looking to keep in the top four and we know we are in for a game against a Saddleworth team that is in good form and were 27-20 home winners over Wigan St Judes last week.

“On our day, we are capable of beating any team in the league.”

Back in contention is Rob Cockayne, along with Dan Sayle and brothers Joe and hopefully Sam Dowsett. Sam has an ankle injury, while Russ Bolton is rated 50/50 with a pulled hamstring that has kept him out of recent games.

MYTON WARRIORS v MILLOM

PAUL Carter, Dane Kelly and Jonathan Hodgson are back in contention for the Woollybacks for the long trip to Humberside in National Conference Division One.

Coach Tom Sibley said ahead of the long trek across the country: “It’s another tough one on the road, but if we can repeat out performance at Hunslet last week (where they lost 12-2) then we should go all right.

“We defended very well with a young team out, but we couldn’t get over the line despite a lot of attacking.”

Myton are joint-second in the division, four points behind leaders Thatto Heath, while the Woolybacks are fighting for survival and are second-bottom.

BARROW AND DISTRICT LEAGUE

THE final of the Harry Warman Cup takes place tonight at Craven Park, where undefeated league leaders Askam take on second-placed Ulverston (7pm kick-off).

In the only league game played last weekend, Barrow Island were 46-22 winners at Dalton.

Ryan Clegg ran in a hat-trick of tries for the Island, with others coming from Chris Burns, Aaron Palmer, Jamie Curtis and Declan McDonald. Glen Kaighan added five goals.

For Dalton, Ian Hayes (2) and Paul Armstrong crossed for tries, with Ryan Johnson adding three goals.

Walney conceded the points to Askam.