Published at 11:49, Friday, 16 January 2009

BARROW AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUETHE bad weather wiped out last weekend’s programme, but there are plenty of games taking place tomorrow.

LEADER: Hindpool Tigers are hoping former Barrow Raider Chris Archer will be fit to play against Dalton

AMATEUR RL

DALTON host Hindpool in a local derby in North West Counties as a majority of teams looks to finally see some action after a prolonged break.

Walney Central are also at home, as are Ulverston in the National Cup – with Millom awaiting the winners of their tie against Normanton.

Barrow Island, the only side to have played last weekend with a fixture this, are on the road, as are Roose Pioneers.

DALTON v HINDPOOL

Kelland Park 2pm

DALTON take on local rivals Hindpool in what should be a close encounter at Kelland Park.

Both clubs are going well in North West Counties Division Three, with Dalton third and Hindpool fourth, both teams having 12 points.

Dalton coach Owen Richards is anticipating a tough encounter, saying: “We won comfortably at their spot, but they have come on leaps and bound since.

“We were disappointed with last week’s game called off, but all the lads are ready to play.

“Though I am without three key players, there is still competition for places. I feel we may just have the edge in experience to see us to victory.”

Out are Paul Jones, Paul Rawlinaon and Matt Bolton, with Richards delaying naming his squad until after training.

His counterpart Grahame Dale said: “We should be almost at full strength,with Phil Cubiss reporting fit and, with a bit of luck, Chris Archer will be over his foot injury.

“We need Chris on the park, he is a good leader and guides the younger lads around the field. It is a local derby which every spectator loves to watch and if we play consistently for the full 80 minutes then we can get a result.”

WALNEY CENTRAL v WIDNES MOORFIELD

Central Drive 2pm

COACH Jan Elliott can’t wait to see his players after almost eight weeks since they took to the field.

And they face a tough one to get the new year underway with the visit of Widnes Moorfield.

Elliott said: “We are anxious to get back playing but face a good side in doing so.

“They are a big side who like to play it down the middle and they do it well, but it is up to us, when in possession, to keep the ball moving wide.

“We lost down there, but it was late tries that beat us. It is an important game for both clubs, as we head for the promotion places.”

PILKINGTON v BARROW ISLAND

ISLAND will have to be at their best for the St Helens trip as they come up against a team second in the North West Counties Premier Division and so far unbeaten.

But they go with confidence after the thrashing of Latchford last week.

Coach Craig McKinnon said: “It was a good run out after being without a game for a few weeks.

“They only had 13 men but we have been in the same position ourselves over the last two years.”

Lee Edwards and Carl McBain are unavailable, but in come Chris Reid and Neil Postlethwaite.

ALBERT PARK v ROOSE PIONEERS

PIONEERS go to the first division leaders Albert Park, where Coach Jim Perry is anticipating a hard encounter.

“Thye are always a good side and it shows by them being top but we are going well ourselves so the lads are up for it,” he said.

Perry is delaying naming his squad. Rauiri McGoff has joined Barrow Raiders and it looks like Keron Sharp and Matt Sayle could be called up.

ULVERSTON v NORMANTON

Dragley Beck 1.30pm

ULVERSTON’S two teams join forces for this National Cup second round tie, which has been called off twice.

Third time around the tie has to be switched, but Ulverston face an uphill task against the Conference Division one side, even if they are bottom of the pile with only two wins under their belt.

Millom no doubt will send a delegation to Dragley Beck to weight up their next opponents.

Barrow Island meet Walney at Rating Lane, Hindpool take on Askam at Brisbane Park and Millom entertain Roose Pioneers at Devonshire Road, all kick-off at 1.30pm.

Ulverston, who are in the National Cup, play Normanton Knights at Dragley Beck.

Next Wednesday, January 21, kick-off 7.30pm, a Cumbria squad will play Barrow Raiders at Craven Park.

There are 17 players selected from the Barrow area.

The draw for the Knock-Out Cup has been made. Dalton will play Ulverston A in a preliminary round.

First round ties are as follows: Dalton or Ulverston A v Barrow Island, Walney v Askam, Hindpool v Ulverston B, Millom v Roose Pioneers.

Dates for fixtures to be announced at a later date.

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