Roose Pioneers take on leaders Leigh East A at Holbeck Park (kick-off 2pm, Saturday) in the Third Division of the North West Men’s League as they continue their bid for a play-off place.

With three games remaining, coach Mike Backhouse is confident that his side will achieve their goal of extending what is their first season back at this level.

The former Barrow Raider said: “This is a game that will test us but following our last two games, I feel we can pull it off and get into the final fourth place.

“As a team, we are playing well with a mixture of experience and youth and the lads are all keen to do well. It’s all to play for.

“We are becoming a cosmopolitan side - full back Dai Hernandez (four tries last week) is from Cuba while forward Antoni Kuldski is from Poland, coming in via Heysham Atoms and Ambleside rugby union.

“The lads are all pulling together and it would be nice to get in the play offs and go up a division.”

Props Euan James and Josh Tranter return after missing the win over Crosfields A last week, along with Ronnie Neale. Mal Kenny will continue at half-back with Backhouse himself moving into the number nine shirt.

Unavailable are Lewis Sayle, who is back playing rugby union with Hawcoat Park, plus Glen Kaighan and Alex Lyons.

Ulverston face Hindley at Dragley Beck in Division One with Marc Storey possibly returning as he awaits the arrival of his first child.

Storey pulled out of the scheduled trip to Blackbrook A, which was called off due to lack of players, last week in anticipation of the new arrival, but with the game being at home he has a choice to make.

Coach Dennis Porter is confident that he will field 17 players, saying: “We are still waiting to name the final squad, but we will have the right amount of numbers.

“I am still waiting for two or three phone calls before I am sure whose in or out. Marc Storey is 50-50 but it would be nice to have him in the side, he is a good all round player.

“Young Scott Askew will be in contention with one or two other young lads and a win or two will push us up the ladders.

“It is a strange league - as I’ve said a couple of wins and you are back up the table a couple of defeats and you are back down the bottom. We have Simms Cross away and St Annes A at home to round off the season.”