Frank Martin's

ARL round-up

THATTO Heath Crusaders and Haydock will be aiming to join Blackbrook in the hat for the next round when they line up for GMB Union National Cup third round clashes at home to Heworth and Ideal Isberg respectively on Saturday.

On paper, Haydock look to have the tougher task against the Humberside outfit who are currently in the bottom half of the National Conference Division One.

Although predicting the outcome of matches between clubs from different leagues is a tricky business, I think the Yickers, who showed glimpses of a return to form against Bold last week, should get through.

For Thatto, meanwhile, the cup-tie against York outfit Heworth, currently languishing next to bottom in Division Two of the Conference, should be a welcome respite from their own relegation battle in the Premier Division and I expect them to progress to the next stage as well.

Following their comfortable cup victory in Cumbria, Blackbrook return to league action with a North West Counties Premier Division match at home to Wigan St Cuthberts.

When the sides at Wigan in September Brook were hard pushed to win 26-18.

Cuthies though are still seeking their first league win with their three points to date coming from home draws with fellow strugglers Farnworth, Rylands and Widnes Albion. Brook should complete the double.

In Division One Pilks Recs will be looking to follow up last week's superb victory over Lancashire Cup winners and fellow title hopefuls Bank Quay when they travel to Adlington Rangers. Recs triumphed 36-20 when the sides met at City Road in September and they will be disappointed if they don't come out on top again.

At the other end of the table both Haresfinch and Portico Vines face uphill struggles to avoid relegation.

Finch have the brighter prospects of survival with three home games remaining, starting with Roose on Saturday. The Cumbrians won 14-8 when they met in October and another close encounter is on the cards.

Barring a miraculous turn-around, Portico Vine look doomed but they still have pride to play for and with more players making themselves available in recent weeks there is no reason why they can't add to their solitary league win to date before the season's end.

It would be good for morale if they could take the points at home to Ulverston this weekend.

After their narrow defeat at Golborne Parkside last week Haydock A will be looking to get their promotion bid back on track against Leigh Harriers in Division Three, while Thatto Heath seconds should find Culcheth more to their liking than last week's conquerors Shevington Sharks who now boast the only 100 per cent record in the whole of the North West Counties League.

The Sharks, meanwhile, bring that record to Clock Face this week and the Miners face a tough task in attempting to be the first to lower the Wiganers' colours this term.

In Division Four Blackbrook A and Pilks A will expect to record wins at the expense of Cadishead and Widnes Tigers respectively but injury-hit Eccleston Lions face another tricky away game at Wigan Keepers.