LOCAL rivals Millom and Askam meet at Devonshire Road in the National Conference Cumbria division kick off 2-30pm.

It is a game that Askam will be looking to pick up the points after suffering a Barton Townley semi-final cup defeat at the hands of the Woolybacks last month.

Millom got their campaign under way last Saturday with a ground out victory over West Cumbrians Hensingham, 20-10 on home soil.

With the Conference being regionalised this season due to Covid it gave those two clubs along with Barrow Island the opportunity to test themselves with the big four from up the Coast, Hensingham, Kells, Wath Brow and Egremont.

Coach Tom Sibley welcomes back Rickie Donaghue, Owen Myers, and Dillon Sykes, missing is Astin Mossop while Ross Brooks awaits a late fitness test on a hamstring injury.

The Millom boss said ahead of what should be an interesting game “We are really looking forward to the game with Askam. They will be fired up after we beat them in the Barton Townley semi-final.

Our “A” team played on Wednesday so we will have a look at how some players performed and one or two will come into contention. We are not taking Askam lightly we always have tough games whenever we meet.”

In the Askam camp, Ben Atkinson has work commitments while there are doubts over Dave Finlayson and Lee Alexander both have nigglings injuries.

Coach Gary Bolton added “We have to lift our game this time around and cut out silly mistakes which cost us dearly in the Townley cup. We still have the spine in the team with the likes of Kier Shepherd,Joe Satterthwaite and Jamie Butler.

When we have Jamie (Former Barrow Raider stalwart) on the field he lifts the other players so we are going to be competitive.”

In the North West Men’s Leagues second division Hindpool Tigers are home to Wigan Springview. Missing from last week’s win over Wigan St Pats “A” are Sam Wilson, Tom Heighton, Jamie McIlroy, and Brett Partridge.

Coming is former Barrow half back Chris Archer along with others to be named.

Coach Phil Cubiss said “We have players out but this gives others an opportunity to others. This game is a double header so a win will see us up near the top. I set a standard last week and it paid off, so I am looking for a similar performance this week.”

In the first round of the Barrow leagues knock out cup on Wednesday Millom emerged 34- 28 winners at Ulverston after trailing 22-14 at the break.

Tries for Ulverston came via James Daley 2, Eric Hill, and Will Coles a brace - plus four goals.

For Millom tries came from Thomas Millard 2, Jordan Moyes, Jude Lupton, Robbie Pattinson, Kyle Evans, and Astin Mossop with Jack Newbiggin adding three goals.