Last updated at 22:19, Friday, 03 August 2012

MILLOM v EGREMONT

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Devonshire Road 2.30pm

NATIONAL Cup semi-finalists Egremont travel down the coast to take on a Millom side smarting from an unexpected home defeat to Mayfield two weeks ago.

The West Cumbrians dumped joint top of the Conference Premier Division Siddal out of the competition with a 34-30 victory last weekend, with newly-crowned BARLA international player of the year John Paul Brocklebank converting his late try to seal the win.

Brocklebank is just one of a host of players for the Woollybacks to keep an eye on. Full-back Rhys Davies is one of the best in the business, while facing his home town club in this National Conference Division One match is Matty Palmer.

Woollybacks boss Anthony Murray said: “It is going to be a tough one and we are desperate to put the Mayfield defeat behind. It was unbelievable, 28-8 up with only nine minutes left and we get beat 32-28. But on form I will back the lads against any team. Egremont are a very good side, well led by JP Brocklebank and are flying at the moment, but we have the players to pull off a win.

“I feel we will be stronger up front and if we target Brocklebank then we can do the business. We have key players missing but so do other clubs, that is where a strong squad comes into it.”

Murray is without Rickie Donaghue (collarbone) and Chris Warren (shoulder) but back to bolster the squad are Midge Dixon, Ian Armstrong, Ross Brooks, Anthony Green, Lee Edmondson, Paul Carter and Dominic Connor.

The Woollybacks boss is awaiting to see if BARLA Young Lions pair Marcus O’Brien and Ethan Kelly arrive home in time to be selected. Both were due back from Lebanon today.

Egremont have been handed a home semi-final tie against Premier League leaders Wigan St Pats, who were first round winners over Askam.

ULVERSTON v HINDPOOL

Dragley Beck 2.30pm

WEDDINGS and other commitments rule out several home players for this North West Counties Division Three derby game.

Matt and Marc Storey, Alastair McGregor, James Porter, Tom White and Sam Atkinson are unavailable. Into the squad come ‘Dinger’ Bell and Keiron Potts.

Coach Gareth Jones said: “Despite Hindpool suffering a heavy defeat last week it makes us more cautious as they will bounce back. It will be a close game and they will definitely be up for it.”

Hindpool skipper Phil Cubiss added: “We should have a pretty strong side out and we aim to put last week’s defeat at Heysham (68-0) behind us. It was an embarrassing result and the lads know it.

“We have trained really hard this week to put things right and it is up to the lads to step up to the plate. Ulverston are a team in form, but we have the lads to win the game.”

Matt Archer is unavailable along with Adam Martin and Mike Brown while Andy Thompson is doubtful. Into the squad comes Jamie McIlroy after service with the armed forces.

BARROW ISLAND v WIDNES ST MARIES VIKINGS

Rating Lane 2.30pm

PERRY Singleton was due to arrive back in the UK today following the BARLA Young Lions tour of Lebanon but is doubtful after spending two days in hospital with food poisoning.

Unavailable are Ian Irvine, Matt Jefferson, Spencer Hoyland and Matt Sayle, while Craig McKinnon sits this one out as he has a BARLA over-35s trial on Sunday.

Andy Cairns and Matt Parkinson face fitness tests, while former Walney forward Mark Bewley makes his debut.

Stalwart John Jefferson said: “We have a lot of players out but still field a strong side, and though Maries Vikings are still without a win we don’t know what we will face.”

ROCHDALE COBRAS v ROOSE PIONEERS

COACH Jim Perry openly admitted that he doesn’t know what 17 players will make the trip to Rochdale. He said: “It’s that time of year and I honestly don’t know who will travel. We haven’t had a game for three weeks when we could have had strong teams on the park in that period, but now we have a game and we are down in numbers.”

Pioneers have a small squad and out are Mark Burrow, Dan Vial, Glen Phillips, Andy McClure, Joe Cargan and Russ Birch, while Steve Perry is on BARLA over-35s trials duty.

First published at 16:13, Friday, 03 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk