By Paddy McAteer

Walney Central A v Kells A

Cumbria Shield Final Craven Park (2.30pm)

CENTS second string are looking to to lift the Cumbria Shield in what is their first ever county cup final appearance – but standing in their way are tough West Cumbrian outfit Kells.

Walney coach Barry Butterworth will not name his final 17 until later today, with several players pulling out for different reasons.

“I can’t finalise things until today when I see how lads came through last night’s first team game with Ulverston,” said Butterworth.

“Some lads have doubled up all season so until I hear who has come through unscathed I can’t make a decision on the 17.

“One thing I will be drilling into the players is to concentrate for the full 80 minutes. We seem to go well in the first half then drop off in the second.

“In the semi-final with Broughton Red Rose, we were well in front at half-time and scraped home 34-30. Last week we were 24-4 up against Roose Pioneers and only won 28-24.

“We are a very young team with many coming through from the under-16s, but these lads are enjoying themselves at this level so we will give it our best shot.”

One thing in Cents’ favour is that Kells will not be slipping first team players into their squad as their first team have a massive game with neighbours Wath Brow in the National Conference Premier Division, where a crowd of around 1,000 is expected.

In last week’s Barrow and District League games, Walney defeated Pioneers 28-24 despite a hat-trick for the home side from Dan White.

Other tries came from Craig McKinnon and Corne Els, with Steve Perry adding two goals.

For Walney, tries came from Matt Solsby, Joe McMullen, Fraser Livesey and Danny Johnson, 2. George Nicholls kicked four goals.

At Kelland Park Dalton defeated Hindpool 26-12 with tries coming from Tom Sharp, 2, Harri Brown, Eddie Tyson, Stephen Faigi and Joe Braund-Smith, who also added one conversion. For Hindpool, Dale Sneesby and Grant Burns crossed for tries, with the latter adding one goal.

Tonight’s fixtures (7pm ko): Dalton v Ulverston. Roose Pioneers v Askam.

Hindpool v Orrell St James

(Brisbane Park 2.45pm)

THE Tigers are 80 minutes away from their first-ever North West Mens League Cup final.

Standing in their path are Premier Division leaders St James, but the first division side are quietly confident that with home advantage they will reach their goal. Leader Phil Cubiss misses the clash at Brisbane Park due to injury, but feels his side can make progress.

He said: “We played Orrell last season before they were promoted and they are a very good side, a very strong team.

“But home advantage is vital at this stage of the competition and the lads are really buzzing and up for it.

“Since our win over Shevington (Premier Division side) in the last round we have gone off the boil a little, but we have worked hard in training this week and have talked about that win, and that’s driving the players on.

“What we must work hard on is our defence which has let us down recently. In attack we are going well but we are letting teams back in the game, so I am looking for a big effort in defence. We have proved that we can attack, but Orrell are a well-drilled side so we have to be on top of our game.”

Stu Travis and Tony Rickleton join Cubiss (hamstring) on the sidelines. Rickleton damaged his shoulder in the win over Shevington.

Back to boost the squad are Jamie Lynn and Matt Archer who have both overcome rib injuries, while back in contention is Grant Burns and possibly Josh Bayliss, who will have a test on a shoulder problem that has kept him out for over a month.

Dewsbury Moor v Barrow Island

ALISTAIR McEwan, Reece Craig and Will Mallinson return for the Conference Division Three trip over the Moors, while missing out are Matt Parkinson and Steve Hoyland.

Island boss Joe Elliott is looking for a win to push his side further up the ladder.

He said: “It’s time to push on going into the second half of the season and to get amongst the leaders. I am looking at this one as a must-win as we need to get amongst the teams above.

“Our squad is looking more healthy now and training sessions have seen an increase in numbers with night school out the way for several of the players. In particular, I want a win as we have not had one on the road.”