AFTER last week’s hard-fought defeat at the hands of table-toppers Keswick, Hawcoat are on home turf looking to take the scalp of Whitehaven in Cumbria One.

Hawcoat were unlucky last week after having two tries disallowed and numerous penalties not resulting in the points required as Keswick suffered two yellow cards.

Skipper George Smith will be hoping fortune favours the hosts this week and he starts from full-back.

Selection has not been finalised, so there will be a decision to be made as to whether John Donnan starts or old head Col Niven gets the nod at prop.

Andy Kent and Adam Grainger are likely to start alongside, with Ash Mowatt possibly moving back to second row, where Jack Sutherland is back in the team.

The back row may well see the return of Danny White, joining Mike Lightfoot and Brad Morrow, although Matty Sayle is in with a chance too.

Jack Shannon and the returning Scott Kaighan are the half-back partners, with Chris Burns and Lewis Sayle in the centres. Wide men Jack Lord and Benji Platt make up the side.

Hawcoat A are at home to Fylde Vandals in North West Intermediate League Division Four North, raring to go after Bowden 3 forfeited last Saturday’s Shield tie.

There is competition for places, with Luke Shaw, Cory Doughty, Martin Kennedy and Jordan Bayliff looking for a second row berth. Matt Robson, Peter Jennens, Rory Sayle, Harrison O’Brien, Harry Higgins and Chris Milby are in contention for back-row roles.

Adam Williamson is likely to start at scrum-half with Scott Garnett recovering from injury and much depends on whether Euan James is available to play fly-half.

In Cumbria Two, Furness and Windermere clash at the Strawberry Grounds.

Jamie Hardman, Dan Harrison and Luke Todd make up the Ambers’ front three, with Josh Dawson and Phil Murphy in the second row.

Brad Askam, Gregg Meschino and Adam Hague will need to be on their game in the back row, and Alastair Mckinnell and Bertie Hodgson continue in the halves.

The backs see Joe Williams and Neil Piggott at centre, with Daelon Hernandez at full-back, and Tom Atkinson and Bobby Davis on the wings.

Elsewhere, Millom are at home to Moresby.