Roose Pioneers take on local rivals Hindpool Tigers at Holbeck Park in the North West Men’s Trophy first round tomorrow.

Last weekend, Pioneers pulled off a shock 35-28 away win at Wigan Spring View in Division Three with a relatively young side in what was their most impressive performance of the season so far.

Back in contention this week are experienced campaigners Dan and Aide White, along with Dan Sharp and Russ Birch.

Although he is tempted to play these lads, coach Mike Backhouse could make them wait for a return to first team duty.

He said: “We have lads back, but I am of the opinion that these young lads went to Spring View and won and deserve to keep their places, we’ll wait and see.

“It is difficult to drop them because they were brilliant, these young players - many new at the club - are keen and committed.”

Euan James comes back into contention while Josh Torkington is unavailable.

Meanwhile, Pioneers have two newcomers in the camp in Polish-born 17-year-old Anitoni Kuieiski, who was previously on Wigan’s books. He is joined by former Heysham Atoms player Daelon Hernandez, who played rugby union for Windermere during the winter.

Hindpool’s coach Darren Clarke is not in the same situation as Backhouse, as he has no less than 12 players out and is in the process of raising enough players.

Clarke said: “I will have to pull in lads from the ‘A’ team and even the Masters. I have even tried to contact older players, but whatever happens we will get a team out.

“We had a good run of three wins before losing to Bury Broncos two weeks ago. We will be a little rusty against a Pioneers side who had a good win last week, it will be a tough one.”

For the second week running, Ulverston have seen opponents pull out of a trip to Dragley Beck, as Folly Lane cannot raise enough players for what would have been a North West Men’s League Cup tie that doubled up as a league fixture.

Coach Dennis Porter said: “We will take the cup game but will try and play them [in the league] at a later day.”