ARL round-up

PROVIDING the fixture doesn't fall victim to the floods engulfing Cumbria earlier this week, Blackbrook will be in National Cup action this Saturday when they are scheduled to make the long haul north to take on Great Clifton in the third round of GMB Union-sponsored competition.

Although Cumbrian sides can never be taken lightly, particularly on their home midden, Brook should make it through to the next stage without too much trouble.

Great Clifton, just outside of Workington, currently lie in sixth place in the Cumberland League Division Two.

They clinched their place in the third round with a narrow 16-12 home victory over NWCL Division Three strugglers Bamber Bridge, a result that suggests they should pose few problems for Brook.

In the National Conference Premier Division Thatto Heath Crusaders continue their battle against relegation at home to third-placed Thornhill Trojans.

Following their narrow defeat at Oldham St Annes last week Heath are now at the foot of the table. However, all is not lost.

They are only two points adrift of West Bowling with a game in hand and four points behind Skirlaugh who have played two games more.

Every match from now until the end of the season will be vital for Heath and they have to start winning sooner rather than later.

The Dewsbury-based Trojans were on the wrong end of a 44-10 mauling at Leigh Miners last week and Heath will be hoping to add to their misery at Moss Lane.

In the NWCL Premier Division, meanwhile, it's local derby time again with Haydock playing host to Bold Miners.

When the sides met at Fleet Lane in early October Haydock triumphed 30-12 and with the advantage of last week's hard-fought win at Wigan St Cuthberts under their belts, while Bold were without a game, they will be looking to complete the double.

However, that first win came in the middle of a rich vein of form for the Yickers who have since lost some players, while Bold improved in late November/early December with wins over Blackbrook, Orrell St James and Widnes Albion. This is too close to call and with friends in both camps I am staying firmly on the fence!

With just five league games remaining, Pilks Recs need only five more points to be mathematically certain of regaining their Premier Division status.

However, their championship credentials will be put to the test this week when they travel to take on Lancashire Cup winners Bank Quay Bulls, who still have to come to City Road yet.

The sides met at Warrington at the end of October in a NWC Challenge Cup tie with the Bulls winning 35-22. Bank Quay have lost only one league game in the last three seasons and it will be tall order for the young Recs outfit to double that tally on Saturday.

Victory over neighbours Portico Vine has given Haresfinch a fighting chance of avoiding the drop to Division Two with three of their four remaining games at home.

On Saturday though they travel to Cumbria for their last away game at Ulverston.

Two points would be a great boost, particularly as Ulverston still have to come to Finch, but it won't be easy.

Fixtures, Saturday, January 15

GMB Union National Cup 3rd round: Great Clifton v Blackbrook.

National Conference Premier Division: Thatto Heath v Thornhill Trojans.

North West Counties League Premier Division: Haydock v Bold Miners.

Division One: Ulverston v Haresfinch, Bank Quay Bulls v Pilkington Recs, Portico Vine v Hindley.

Division Three: Golborne Parkside v Haydock A, Thatto Heath A v Shevington.

Division Four: Pilks Recs A v Leigh Miners Rangers A, Blackbrook A v Wigan Keepers Bulldogs, Waterhead A v Eccleston Lions.

Division Six: Newton Storm v Rylands A.

Results, Saturday January 8

National Conference Premier Division: Oldham St Annes 13 Thatto Heath Crusaders 6.

North West Counties League Premier Division: Wigan St Cuthbert's 10 Haydock 16, Blackbrook 32 Rylands 10.

Division One: Pilkington Recs 32 Latchford Albion 8, Haresfinch 26 Portico Vine 4.

Division Three: Clock Face 28 Bamber Bridge 12.

Division Four: Eccleston Lions 16 Blackbrook A 20.

Division Six: Bank Quay a 46 Newton Storm 24.