LEADERS Dalton face one of their toughest tests of the Barrow and District League season so far tonight.

The Kelland Park outfit host third-placed Askam, who have a 100 per cent league record, but who suffered defeat against Roose Pioneers in the semi-finals of the Frank Reid Cup last week.

Dalton go into the game full of confidence after defeating Hindpool Tigers 54-4 in their previous outing.

Head coach Dave High was full of praise for Hindpool’s efforts against his side, and said: “Even though they turned up with 12 players and we loaned them several, they played some good rugby at times.

“We had to do some top defending to keep them out, and this was just what we needed before we take on Askam.”

Hindpool went over the whitewash before half-time, with a Harry Gorden try to make it 38-4 at the interval.

The Dalton tries over the 80 minutes came from Ryan Baines (3), Harri Brown, Sam Purslow, Tyler Batty, Jack Gedlin, Elliott Jackson, Nathan Park and Jack Crarey. Crarey also kicked five goals and Jack Stevenson landed two.

If Dalton’s preparations for tonight were ideal, it was far from it for Askam, as they went down 48-12 against Roose.

Once again, Ade White led the way for Pioneers, with four tries. Kieron Holmes (3), Adam Batty (2) and Ronnie Neale were their other try-scorers, while Glen Phillips landed three goals and Batty one.

Aiden Wilkinson and Danny Rhodes crossed the whitewash for Askam, with Brad Jackson kicking both conversions.

Elsewhere tonight, Walney Central go to Barrow Island in a mid-table clash, with both sides on two points in the early going.

The Island have a potential match-winner in Ben Garner, but the Central Drive lads are a experienced side and it should be a tight game.

Garner led the way as Island gained their first points in a high-scoring game against Ulverston last week, winning 46-22.

He scored four tries, with others coming from Gareth Shaw, Lewis Sayle, Shane Sanderson and Joe Mallinson. James Howden kicked seven goals.

James Armistead, Liam High, Roman Smedley and Josh Rankin crossed the whitewash for Ulverston, and Matthew Shaw kicked three goals.

Walney were also winners last weekend, defeating Millom 38-24 in the second Frank Reid semi-final.

Walney had experience in their ranks and a little more know-how to ease them to victory. Tom Lamb (2), Mike Elliott, Declan Gavin, Jordan Belcher, Luke Harrison and Tom Heavyside scored the Cents tries, and Lamb kicked two goals. Millom’s Chris Parks, Lennon Sykes, Dylan Sykes and Ethan Bickerstaffe crossed the line, with Marc Bowman landing four goals.

Millom have come back into the Barrow and District League this season with a young side have, and have adapted well – scoring points and playing some good, attractive rugby under coach Craig Wilson.

They host Roose tonight in what could be a interesting game against a Pioneers side full of confidence.

The final fixture of the week sees Ulverston make the trip to Hindpool. If the visitors put the same side out as they fielded last week, they could be too strong.

The Barrow and District area are looking for an assistant head coach and head coach at under-19s level. Cumbria are also looking for coaches in the same age group. Anyone interested in either of the roles can contact Terry Barker on 01229 830698.

Tonight’s Fixtures (6.30pm kick-offs): Barrow Island v Walney Central, Dalton v Askam, Hindpool Tigers v Ulverston, Millom v Roose Pioneers.