Rugby Union: Welcome return for LSH players

Sep 22 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

IT LOOKS quite a testing weekend for our local clubs with Waterloo, Caldy, West Park and Birkenhead Park all away and only LSH, Chester and New Brighton at home.

In the case of LSH, victory is particularly important as they have lost their first three games but thankfully they can welcome back two star forwards in huge Dave Hale and James Cashman, who were last season’s joint players of the year, for the visit of Altrincham Kersal.

Happily they also have Oliver Cashman back in the centre, Ashley Worsfeld starting at his best position of full-back, Simon Worsley and Chris McRoberts at half back and that very bright prospect Nick Judd on one wing with Dave Birch on the other.

Sadly, star prop Jan Laurens has had to drop out due to a recurrence of injury but it still looks easily the best side they have put out to date and one that should be able to hit back hard after last week’s humiliation at Middlesbrough.

Waterloo face an interesting challenge at Henley, who have only played once (and lost) to date, but are welcoming back two players from the English Counties recent tour, though sadly they have lost their hooker and skipper Liam Wordley with a broken arm.

Waterloo have brought in Steve Dodd at centre in place of Nicola Mazzucato who has moved to the wing but rather surprisingly field Dan Smith in the second row in place of Nugent, who has been dropped, and bring in the newly borrowed Steve Ruwers onto the bench.

West Park, visiting a Morley team who conceded 45 points last week, keep try-scoring Rob Hitchmough at fly-half and give a senior debut to the very talented Dave Cunliffe in the centre.

Ian Callaghan will be his partner and Andrew Soutar moves to full-back in what looks a useful side.

Elsewhere, Birkenhead Park will be fully tested at Hull while New Brighton could have a tough time against Tyldesley.