IT'S local derby day this afternoon for Windermere as the Ambers take on the Blues of Furness in this week’s Cumbria Division One clash.

There was no team available at the time of going to press from Furness but Mere are ready to go, with captain Jonny Benson expecting big things in this encounter.

Bertie Hodgson and Joe Williams keep the half-back roles linking the forward and backs with Benson leading the back row alongside Dan Fox and Adam Hague. Damien Armstrong and Moses Dawson in the centres will be a hard nut to break down in defence with attacking options all around them in the guise of Bobby Davis and Giles Jones out wide on the wings.

Liam Garnett moves to full back to give the backline a strong feel.

The forwards start up front, where Jamie Hardman, Greg Meschino and Tyron Alderson take on the Furness front three looking for the strong second row outfit of Josh Dawson and John Longworth to help take the pack in the right direction.

A strong bench supports the starting XV this week in what could be a really close clash at Dawes Meadow, with the visitors expected to make quite a few changes.

Hawcoat Park were left fuming after they were deducted five points by the RFU for not being able to raise a team to face Whitehaven, due to having a multitude of players unavailable. This is despite their hosts agreeing to reschedule the game.

Hawcoat Park A are on the road this week as they travel to Littleborough 3rd XV, where captain Peter Jennens will be hoping his troops can pull another one out of the bag on the road and they have named quite a strong side.

It all starts up front with Lewis Phillips, Mike Gibson and Andy Kent likely to be the starting three with front rower Jack Fawcett possibly moving to the back row, where Jennens will welcome him with open arms.

Harry Higgins, Peter Matthews and Joe Rea are also looking for starting jerseys in the pack. The second row sees Corey Doherty and Andy Graham pushing on the pack from the engine room and looking to support at the breakdown.

Lee Van Heron is up for a game this week as he returns after a little break and he could find himself linking up with Lewis Sayle in getting the backline up and running, looking to get Jack Lord and Keenan Cotton over the whitewash.

Jay Hill, Scott Kaighan and Hugh Williams make up the squad that is forward orientated but full of experience, which will be key this weekend in their pursuit of points.