Neil Barraclough previews this weekend’s LHF Healthplan National League programme

SATURDAY

LHF Healthplan National League Two

London Skolars v Featherstone Rovers

Skolars’ boss Latham Tawhai is looking towards an increasing maturity among his troops as he goes in search of a win against Featherstone.

Tawhai said: “We’re starting to understand that the things we do in the first half pay dividends in the back end of games – just simple things like completing sets early on.

“It’s a real good challenge for us this week and the lads are very positive in training. There’s that little bit extra there at the moment and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”

Jermaine Coleman could feature after missing last week and Tawhai has no new injury concerns.

Featherstone coach David Hobbs will assess a number of players with bumps and bruises although there are no serious problems.

Hobbs said: “Our lads have proved time and time again that they can compete well and it’s games like this one where we’ve got to go and do a good job.

“That’s an area we can improve – travelling to teams in the lower parts of the league – and hopefully we can show that improvement on Saturday.”

LHF Healthplan National League Three

Gateshead Storm v Hemel Hempstead Stags

Misfiring Hemel have seen their 100 per cent record and top spot in LHF League Three slip from their grasp in the last fortnight.

Now coach Troy Perkins is calling for his side to produce their best when it matters most in an effort to resurrect their campaign.

Perkins said: “We’ve been a bit flat in the last two weeks and I can’t really put my finger on why that is. Maybe it’s just a mid-season slump, but we’re not performing.

“We play Bramley next week so we’ve got to get back to winning ways. We’ve got to be in the right frame of mind, work hard and make sure we maintain second place because it’s vital going into the play-offs.

“Gateshead are a young side but they’re very enthusiastic and always play well at home, especially against teams that have sat on a coach for six hours before kick-off.”

Chris Hodgetts (calf tear) misses his first game of the season for the Stags while Gateshead look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Dewsbury Celtic last week.

Bramley Buffaloes v Dewsbury Celtic

Bramley chairman Martyn Cheney is urging his side to continue their recent good form as they enter a crucial stage of their season.

The Buffaloes face play-off contenders Dewsbury, Hemel, Bradford and Warrington during the next five weeks in a period that could make or break their season.

Cheney said: “The results went for us last week but now we need to get through Sunday and take things from there. Everyone is taking points from everybody else so you don’t know what’s going to happen at the top of the table.

“Dewsbury will want home advantage in the play-offs so they’ll be desperate to move up a couple of places in the league and that will mean a tough encounter for us.”

Hooker Graham Harrison (broken thumb) will miss the rest of the season while two other squad members face late fitness tests.

Celtic Head Coach Lee Addison said: “Bramley must be favourites for the League Leaders Shield so we’re preparing for the mother of all games.

“Unfortunately a couple of our blue-chip players are missing in skipper Paul Heaton (holiday) and John Roadnight but we’re ready for the clash.”

St Albans Centurions v Featherstone Lions

St Albans’ coach Allen Wheeler is preparing for the first of three consecutive home games that could secure the Centurions’ play-off spot.

Wheeler watched his team overcome Huddersfield 38-10 last week and pointed to improved discipline as one of the main reasons behind the Centurions’ success.

Now he wants his troops to continue in the same fashion in Saturday’s LHF League Three clash against struggling Featherstone in an attempt to gather some momentum ahead of the play-offs.

Featherstone lost 44-8 against table-topping Bramley last week but dominated the first 40 minutes.

They led 8-6 at the break and if they can produce a full 80 minutes at that level they could well get their first win of the LHF League Three campaign.

Warrington Wizards v Bradford Dudley Hill

Warrington’s clash with Bradford will now kick off at 3pm rather than the scheduled 2:30pm.

Wizards’ administrator Dave Whalley said: “Last week was probably our best result in two years (Warrington beat Hemel 45-24). The performance and the manner in which we won were really pleasing.

“We dominated with only 12 men in the second half and that type of performance has been threatening to come from us for a few weeks. The confidence is there and we’re on a bit of a roll now – the whole team is playing well as a unit.

“But the games don’t come easy at the moment. This is a massive game – whoever wins it is probably looking at cementing third spot in the league.

“And if we can win then we can keep the pressure on Hemel in second place, too.”

Fourth-placed Bradford know that a win at Wilderspool will put them level on points with the Wizards and they still have a game in hand on the Warrington club.

SUNDAY

LHF Healthplan National League One

Leigh Centurions v Hull KR

Leigh boss Tony Benson wants to show his side’s Northern Rail Cup Final victory was no fluke with a second win over table-topping Hull KR in three weeks.

Benson said: “Last week was the hardest fought win we’ve ever had and I hope that spirit can continue.

“I’m sure Hull KR will come here wanting to set the record straight – they’ll want to come and play a good game.

“We have to get two points this week so it’s setting up a very interesting game.”

Tere Glassie and Rob Roberts are expected to play but Benson has a big doubt over Dean Gaskell.

Justin Morgan, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Wednesday night with a victory over York, has no new injury worries as he prepares to lift his side for a difficult trip to Leigh.

Morgan admitted his side were weary after a long campaign but hopes he can kick on until the end of the season.

Morgan said: “We’re a tired side but we’re at the top of the table so we can be selective in what we do from now on.

“We need to be sure we have momentum going into the play-offs but top place is more or less assured now so that gives us a chance to freshen a few players up.

“The other factor is that this is the first time we’ve been full time and that takes its toll physically and mentally on the players.”

Gareth Morton is definitely out for Rovers while Morgan hopes that Michael Smith and Scott Murrell could return against Rochdale next weekend.

Oldham v Halifax

Oldham coach Steve Deakin has set his sights on recording the Roughyeds’ first win of the 2006 LHF League One campaign on Sunday.

Deakin said: “Halifax are probably in there with Doncaster, Rochdale and Batley. It’s very tight and there isn’t much between them.

“We prepare for every game as well as we can do and that’s what we’ll continue to do for the rest of the season.”

Mark Roberts is expected to return to action but Danny Guest, James Kirkland, Mick Redford and Chris Percival are all still injured.

Halifax boss Martin Hall is hoping to see an improved defensive performance from his troops on Sunday.

Halifax conceded 42 points against Widnes last week and Hall is demanding a massive improvement this weekend.

Hall said: “Last week we had a lot of strong performances from a lot of people, but we also had some awful ones. You need strong performances from 17 players.

“Our attack was pretty fluent but our defence certainly wasn’t. Defence is an attitude and as a team we don’t have that at the moment.”

Whitehaven v Doncaster Lakers

Whitehaven boss Dave Rotheram wants his side to show their pride when they take on Doncaster this week.

Rotheram said: “It’s on our patch and we defend our patch with our lives.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence and they certainly know their way to the try-line.

“They’ve got a big pack of forwards who like to offload and a good kicking game from Graham Holroyd, so they will be a real threat.”

Scott McAvoy (ankle) is still missing but Spencer Miller returned to action on Wednesday as Whitehaven’s U21s side won at Hull KR.

Doncaster captain Peter Green, who is hoping to return to action after missing last week’s triumph over Oldham, said: “A trip to Whitehaven is always a huge challenge but we will go into the game full of confidence.

“We know that we will have to match their big pack but also cut out the errors and moments of ill-discipline that have been a feature in most of our games up to date in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of victory.”

Widnes Vikings v Rochdale Hornets

Vikings’ boss Steve McCormack goes into Sunday’s clash with Rochdale facing a mounting injury crisis.

McCormack said: “I was pleased with the second half at Halifax last week but we’ve picked up a few knocks. Seven or eight people haven’t trained so far but hopefully they’ll be OK as the week goes on.

“Rochdale ran us close three weeks ago and they should have won against Leigh so on their day they’re a match for anyone.”

Mick Cassidy is available for selection after serving a one-match suspension.

Rochdale coach Darren Abram is also dealing with a string of players suffering from knocks as he prepares his threadbare squad for Sunday.

Abram said: “We played some good football and defended strongly in the second half last week but after looking at us in training this week it seems to have come at a cost.”

Andy Gorski and Richard Varkulis are both facing x-rays on injured legs while Chris Giles, Andy Bailey and Ryan Benjafield all failed to train on Tuesday night.

Abram also has doubts over the fitness of Matt Sturm while Paul Owen (knee) is awaiting the results of his visit to a specialist on Sunday.

Abram said: “It’s a difficult situation but we have to carry on. Widnes have got some quality players who can turn a game in a matter of seconds so we’ll have to be ready.”

York City Knights v Batley Bulldogs

York boss Mick Cook has no new injury worries after Wednesday night’s bruising defeat at Hull KR.

And Cook is taking plenty of encouragement from York’s 10-0 half-time advantage at Craven Park.

Cook said: “We worked really hard and probably deserved something if we’d been a little bit more clinical.

“We did a lot of good things but we weren’t quite good enough on the night. Now we have to keep battling on.

“Batley are a strong, physical side who work very hard and they’ve got some smart half-backs – it’s a tough task for us.”

Martin McLoughlin and Mark Toohey (broken finger) are major worries for Bulldogs’ coach Gary Thornton, although he has been given some good news after Toohey and Andrew Boothroyd agreed contracts for next season.

Thornton said: “It’s always a scramble at the end of the year so to get them on board now is a real boost. It shows the direction the club is taking by keeping good young players here and hopefully that turns other players to the club as well.

“But we’ve got to focus on this week and the challenge of York – they’re not a bad team and I don’t think their league position reflects how good they can be.

“Some of their betters players are back which makes a big difference and they’ll be wanting a good performance in front of their own crowd.”

LHF Healthplan National League Two

Blackpool Panthers v Sheffield Eagles

Panthers’ coach Simon Knox insists this clash is the biggest challenge of Blackpool’s 2006 LHF League Two campaign.

Knox said: “This is our biggest game of the season. We’ve got a full squad available, everyone is up against it and we need to come up with a result on Sunday.

“Sheffield are powerful, quick, skilful and well-coached, but if we can control their forwards then we’ve got a chance – we have to control the front row battle from the start.”

Sheffield trail league leaders Dewsbury Rams by four points but boss Gary Wilkinson has not given up hope of securing first place and automatic promotion.

Wilkinson said: “There’s plenty of twists and turns left in this season. We’ve got to play Dewsbury next week so it’s not over yet.

“But this week it’s a different challenge altogether. Blackpool are going to try to salvage something from their season by taking a big scalp so it’s a different pressure compared to taking on a top-of-the-table outfit.”

Jimmy Walker (broken thumb) is definitely out while Wilkinson will make a late check on the fitness of Dale Holdstock (hamstring strain).

Celtic Crusaders v Gateshead Thunder

The battle for first place of LHF League Two may be over for Celtic Crusaders but coach John Dixon is in positive mood.

The Crusaders won 38-18 against table-topping Dewsbury last week. Now Dixon wants his side to regain their focus ahead of the play-offs.

Dixon said: “Dewsbury have got their rewards for a good performance against us. Everyone’s struggling to catch them now and we’re probably playing for the other spots rather than first.

“But this is an exciting place to be around at the moment and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve here.”

A number of bumps have left the Crusaders nursing more than just bruised pride from last week while Gateshead boss Dean Thomas is reporting a clean bill of health.

Thomas said: “We made too many errors last week. We’re still trying to find our individual form so that the team can benefit. We didn’t do ourselves justice and we should have got the win.

“We’re going down to Wales the night before the game this week. We’ll have good preparation, everyone fit and there are no excuses.

“Celtic Crusaders play a kind of football that our guys are used to – it’s going to be a real battle and I think there’s a potential upset on the cards.”

Dewsbury Rams v Barrow Raiders

“We’ve won nothing yet.” That’s the message from Dewsbury boss Andy Kelly as his side continue their march at the top of LHF League Two.

Kelly said: “It was important we went to Wales and got the win last week. We prepared extremely thoroughly and we created a professional environment that was reflected in the performance.

“But we got back to work on Tuesday night and we spoke to the players about not losing focus. We’ve still got to win the league. We need five points over the next three games - for us to feel accomplished now could mean we get caught out.”

Daniel Harvey and James Walker are both struggling for the Rams while Matthew Walker is also a doubt.

Kelly added: “Barrow have been quite notable at times and disappointing at others. They’ve got a very physical look about them through the middle and their halfbacks are very capable so they have the building blocks of a really good side.”

Barrow coach Paul Crarey is aiming for an improved performance from his side, despite beating Keighley 38-14 last Sunday.

Crarey said: “It’s about performance for us this week because we were a bit patchy the last time we played.

“Workington and Gateshead are going to put wins together so points difference could be crucial at the end of the season.

“If we can get two more wins then we should be OK for the play-offs and that was our goal for this year.”

Hunslet Hawks v Workington Town

Hunslet coach Mark Cass will check on the fitness of his side nearer to kick off after Wednesday’s thrilling 24-24 draw with Swinton.

The Hawks threw away a 24-14 lead in the closing stages but Cass will be encouraged by his side’s first half performance ahead of Sunday’s clash with Workington.

Town boss Ged Stokes knows how tough it is to play three times in a week but will give no sympathy to the Hawks.

Stokes said: “It’s going to be a tough game for them – we know how they’re feeling when you play three games in seven days.

“But really our focus is on us and making sure we carry on from what happened last week.”

Mark Cox (back) is unavailable but Weldon Saayman reported no reaction to his return to action and will feature again on Sunday.

Keighley Cougars v Swinton Lions

Cougars’ player-coach Barry Eaton believes attack could prove to be Keighley’s best form of defence on Sunday.

Eaton said: “The battle for the play-offs is hotting up at the top end of the table and Swinton are in that group jockeying for second to fifth place.

“They’ll be trying to up their tempo and lift their performances for this part of the season and we know they like to play good football and throw the ball about.

“We’ve got to try to combat that by playing some good stuff ourselves.”

Swinton boss Paul Kidd said: “A lot of credit has go to Hunslet but I was a little disappointed with our intensity on Wednesday evening.

“I’m hoping for a reaction against Keighley because it’s such an important game. If we’re not careful we’re going to find ourselves fighting for a home tie in the play-offs. We need to lift ourselves again very quickly.”

Kidd is hopeful that his side picked up no new injuries at Hunslet on Wednesday.

START STATS

LHF HEALTHPLAN NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE

(League matches only)

Tries

Mick Nanyn (Widnes)     19

Ben Cockayne (Hull K.R.)        13

Danny Halliwell (Leigh) 12

Craig Lingard (Batley)  12

Shad Royston (Doncaster)        11

Lee Greenwood (Leigh)   11

Dennis Moran (Widnes)   11

James Webster (Hull KR) 11

Chris Ross (Doncaster)  10

Chris Giles (Rochdale)  10

Jon Steel (Hull KR)     10

Goals  

Mick Nanyn (Widnes)     69

Graham Holroyd (Doncaster)      55(2)

Gareth Morton (Hull K.R.)       49

Carl Rudd (Whitehaven)  48

Steve Jones (Batley)    32

Mark McCully (Rochdale) 29

Julian O’Neill (Leigh)  28(1)

James Haley (Halifax)   28

Damien Couturier (Hull K.R.)    26

Kevin King (Rochdale)   24

( ) Drop goals included in total

Points

Mick Nanyn (Widnes)     214

Gareth Morton (Hull K.R.)       126

Graham Holroyd (Doncaster)      120

Carl Rudd (Whitehaven)  100

James Haley (Halifax)     72

Steve Jones (Batley)      68

Mark McCully (Rochdale)   66

Damien Couturier (Hull K.R.)      64

Kevin King (Rochdale)             56   

Julian O’Neill (Leigh)    55

LHF HEALTHPLAN NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO

(League matches only)

Tries

Tony Duggan (Celtic)    21

Wade Liddell (Gateshead)        14

James Nixon (Barrow)    14

Carl De Chenu (Celtic)  14

Alasdair McLarron (Sheffield)   13

James Ford (Sheffield)  13

Michael Ryan (Celtic)   13

Chris Hall (Dewsbury)   13

Goals  

Damien Quinn (Celtic)   65

Stuart Dickens (Featherstone)   65

Darren Holt (Barrow)    58(3)

Jonny Woodcock (Sheffield)      50

Barry Eaton (Keighley)  50

Francis Maloney (Dewsbury)      49(2)

Wade Liddell (Gateshead)        44

Lee Marsh (Swinton)     36(1)

Steve Kirkbride (Workington)    34(1)

Tony Williams (Hunslet) 32(1)

( ) Drop goals included in total

Points 

Damien Quinn (Celtic)   174

Stuart Dickens (Featherstone)   150

Wade Liddell (Gateshead)        144

Darren Holt (Barrow)    121

Jonny Woodcock (Sheffield)      120

Barry Eaton (Keighley)  116

Liam Finn (Dewsbury)    110

Francis Maloney (Dewsbury)      108

Lee Marsh (Swinton)       87

Tony Duggan (Celtic)      80

COMBINED NATIONAL LEAGUES (All matches)

Tries

Tony Duggan (Celtic) 30; Byron Ford (Hull KR) 26; Mick Nanyn (Widnes) 26; James Nixon (Barrow) 24; Ben Cockayne (Hull KR) 23; Lee Greenwood (Leigh) 22; Wayne McHugh (Featherstone) 22; Carl De Chenu (Celtic) 21; Shad Royston (Doncaster) 21; Craig Calvert (Whitehaven) 19; Carl Sice (Whitehaven) 19; Jonathan Goddard (Hull KR) 19

Goals

Graham Holroyd (Doncaster) 109 (2); Mick Nanyn (Widnes) 97; Stuart Dickens (Featherstone) 90; Gareth Morton (Hull KR) 87; Damien Quinn (Celtic) 85; Carl Rudd (Whitehaven) 83; Darren Holt (Barrow) 80 (5); Francis Maloney (Dewsbury) 78 (2); Barry Eaton (Keighley) 72; Damien Couturier (Hull KR) 71

( ) Drop goals included in total

Points

Mick Nanyn (Widnes) 298; Graham Holroyd (Doncaster) 248; Damien Quinn (Celtic) 234; Gareth Morton (Hull KR) 234; Stuart Dickens (Featherstone) 212; Carl Rudd (Whitehaven) 182; Damien Couturier (Hull KR) 178; Francis Maloney (Dewsbury) 174; Darren Holt (Barrow) 167; Barry Eaton (Keighley) 160; Wade Liddell (Gateshead) 146