WEATHER permitting, the amateur rugby league programme swings back into action on Saturday following the festive break with at least three of our local sides facing crucial games.

Thatto Heath Crusaders, battling to stave off relegation from the National Conference League Premier Division, resume with a tricky away game at Oldham St Annes.

The Oldham outfit currently lie fifth in the table on points difference, being one of a cluster of clubs with 18 points to date but having played fewer games than their rivals for a top-four spot.

When the sides met at Moss Lane in October, St Annes triumphed 28-12 and must start favourites to complete a double. Heath, though, have improved since then and it's never wise to write them off.

In the North West Counties Premier Division, meanwhile, both Haydock and Blackbrook face sides struggling for top-flight survival.

Haydock travel to Wigan to take on a St Cuthberts team still seeking their first league win of the season.

The Wiganers were thrashed 56-4 at Haydock earlier in the campaign, by far their heaviest defeat to date.

However, they have proved a different proposition on their home patch with three draws and three narrow defeats.

That, allied to the fact that Haydock have lost the services of a number of players in the interim, should ensure a much closer encounter this time around.

Brook will be looking to complete their second league double of the season when they entertain Rylands at Boardmans Lane, having won 32-20 at Warrington last month.

They should prevail but will have to keep up their concentration against former Great Britain winger Mark Forster's workmanlike charges.

In Division One Pilks Recs will be looking to get back to winning ways following their pre-Christmas hiccup at Roose Pioneers.

It won't be easy though against a Latchford Albion side who still harbour promotion hopes of their own.

At the other end of the table, meanwhile, there is a 'crunch' local derby at Haresfinch who entertain Portico Vine in a game that neither side can afford to lose if they are to have realistic hopes of beating the drop.

A John Derbyshire hat-trick inspired Finch to a 24-14 win at Portico earlier in the season and with home advantage they would appear marginal favourites.

However, much will depend on the respective line-ups on the day.

Rivals

It's no secret that Portico Vine struggled for numbers in the weeks leading up to Christmas but the lure of taking on local rivals should surely ensure they will have the necessary personnel to do themselves justice come 2pm on Saturday.

In Division Three all three local sides - Clock Face, Haydock A and Thatto Heath A - look to have good winning chances against the division's bottom trio.

Haydock at home will surely prove too strong for Culcheth Eagles, while the trip to bottom club Higginshaw should hold no terrors for Heath.

Clock are at home to Bamber Bridge and should win, but an early score might help to settle the nerves after defeats in their last two fixtures, including a shock defeat away to the previously win-less Culcheth.

In Division Four Blackbrook second string will seek to maintain their promotion push when they make the short trip to Parr Stocks to take on Eccleston Lions.

Having won the sides' first encounter comfortably Brook will be a warm order to make it a double - although Phil Anders' boys will no doubt be determined to upset the applecart.

Pilks Recs A, meanwhile, should get the better of their Crosfields counterparts at Hood Lane, Warrington although much could depend on whether the Soapmen's first team are in action or not!

Fixtures, Saturday, January 8

National Conference Premier Division: Oldham St Annes v Thatto Heath.

NWCL Premier Division: Wigan St Cuthberts v Haydock, Blackbrook v Rylands.

Division One: Pilkington Recs v Latchford Albion, Haresfinch v Portico Vine.

Division Three: Clock Face Miners v Bamber Bridge, Haydock A v Culcheth, Higginshaw v Thatto Heath A.

Division Four: Crosfields A v Pilkington Recs A, Eccleston Lions v Blackbrook A.

Division Six: Bank Quay Bulls A v Newton Storm.