THE cup draws have been generally kind to our sides so far this season and Thatto Heath, Haydock and Blackbrook all have home ties again this weekend in the fourth round of the GMB Union National Cup.

All three games, though, look, to be ones that could go either way as Heath entertain Castleford Lock Lane, Haydock take on Skirlaugh and Brook face old rivals Crosfields.

Home advantage wasn't enough to help the young Heath outfit topple East Hull last week but a repeat of their spirited display in that game might be good enough to see off a Lock Lane side who were not totally convincing in their Challenge Cup victory over South London.

As expected, Haydock took their wins over Yorkshire opponents to three against Normanton on Saturday but they will have to tighten up their defence if they are to make it four against a Skirlaugh side that is beginning to climb the National Conference League Premier Division.

Brook, meanwhile, play host to their former North West Counties League rivals, Crosfields.

The Soapmen are currently in sixth place in the National Conference Division Two and come to Boardmans Lane on the back of a confidence-boosting win over league leaders, Eastmoor Dragons.

This looks likely to be a closely-contested encounter and much could depend on what kind of line-up the home side are able to field, having lost players for a variety of reasons in recent weeks.

In the North West Counties Division One Pilkington Recs are scheduled to travel to Adlington Rangers, while relegated Portico Vine go to Hindley.

Weather-permitting, Recs should overcome the notorious Adlington pitch and the robust home side to take another step towards the championship.

Portico Vine, meanwhile, with only pride to play for, will be hoping for a better turn-out than last week when a threadbare squad went down heavily at Ulverston.

In Division Three Haydock A's promotion hopes look to have diminished in recent weeks and they face another tough game on Saturday away to Milnrow.

The sides drew at Haydock a fortnight ago and another close match is on the cards here.

Elsewhere in the division Clock Face Miners should prove too strong for struggling Higginshaw, while Thatto Heath seconds will be looking to turn the tables on Burtonwood Bridge having gone down 28-6 to the 'Wooders' at the end of November.

In Division Four Eccleston Lions have a potential 'four-pointer' against Widnes Tigers.

Lions edged home 26-24 at Parr Stocks way back in September and this has all the makings of another nail-biter.

Fixtures, Saturday, February 26

GMB Union National Cup 4th round (kick-off 2pm): Blackbrook v Crosfields, Haydock v Skirlaugh, Thatto Heath v Castleford Lock Lane.

North West Counties League Division One: Adlington v Pilkington Recs, Hindley v Portico Vine.

Division Three: Milnrow v Haydock A, Clock Face Miners v Higginshaw, Thatto Heath A v Burtonwood Bridge.

Division Four: Leigh Miners A v Pilks A, Widnes Tigers v Eccleston Lions.

Division Six: Newton Storm v Widnes St Maries A.

Results, Saturday, February 19

Powergen Challenge Cup 2nd round: Thatto Heath Crusaders 26 East Hull 38, Haydock 48 Normanton Knights 30.

North West Counties League Premier Division: Blackbrook 12 Bold Miners 6.

Division One: Ulverston 64 Portico Vine 12.

Division Three: Culcheth Eagles 10 Thatto Heath A 34.

Division Four: Pilks A 24 Cadishead Rhinos 18, Eccleston Lions 60 Leigh Miners A 12, Waterhead A 22 Blackbrook A 16.

Division Six: Newton Storm 30 Langworthy A 10.