Caldy aiming to double up

Nov 24 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE is a double incentive for Caldy when they journey to Macclesfield today with points at stake in National Three North and also a place in the final of the Lees Cheshire Cup.

The two clubs who were unable to play their semi-final recently and opted to make today’s clash a double header.

Recent signing John Broxson is set to start at scrum-half today and Paul White could resume at lock but Richard Bradshaw is again absent as he recovers from a knee operation.

Birkenhead Park have a tough North One assignment at Middlesbrough.

Tony Handley and Steve Lowry resume their half-back partnership. Paul Hellier and Njike Tchakoute continue in the pack and skipper Dave Ibboston also hopes to return after a hand injury.

New Brighton, after a blank last Saturday, resume North Two West action at home to Winnington Park.

Loa Topou who has returned from Caldy is set to figure in the back row but Kati Tuipulotu is an absentee.

Chester, in second place, figure in the match of the day at leaders Stockport. Tom Chappell keeps the fly-half spot in an unchanged back division but Ross White, John Beckwith, John Flood and Chris Keane resume up front.

Leigh, who took a heavy defeat in the National Trophy in their latest outing, should bounce back at home to Tyldesley.

Wirral were out of luck in the draw for the fourth stage of the EDF Energy Senior Vase as they were handed a tough challenge at Blackburn on December 8.

The remainder of the local survivors will have home advantage. Widnes will host Rossendale with other ties including Aspull v Old Brodleians, Ruskin Park v Wheatley Hills and Wigan v Sandal.

Hoylake are hoping to have their strongest side available for a tough South Lancashire/Cheshire One clash at home to Wilmslow today as their league programme resumes after a weekend of cup action.

The Melrose Avenue side were on a winning run until coming unstuck at Rossendale in the Senior Vase.

Widnes have Vagabonds, Isle of Man as visitors. Coach Lee McDermott awaits several fitness tests but is confident of another victory to maintain progress up the division. Wirral journey to Bowdon and show a couple of forward changes with James Duckers at prop and Ross Page joining the back-row.

Other games include struggling Anselmians away to in form Wigan, Aspull at Burnage and Ruskin Park at Sale.

Oldershaw in Division Two could do with a win at home to Warrington as they remain on minus points in the division.

Sefton entertain Crewe and Nantwich. David Carr returns to the wing and former captain Jamie Luck after some time away gets a bench opportunity.

There is a cross-river derby involving Collegiate and Wallasey. Southport are due at Dukinfield and Ormskirk at Orrell Anvils.

St Edwards who are enjoying a good run in Division Three go to Holmes Chapel. Prenton have it all to do in the Isle of Man against leaders Douglas.

TODAY (2.15pm) National Two: Waterloo v Blaydon. National Three North: West Park v Darlington MP; Macclesfield v Caldy (3pm). North One: Hull v LSH; Middlesborough v Birkenhead Park. North Two West: New Brighton v Winnington Park (3pm); Stockport v Chester; Leigh v Tyldesley. South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Widnes v Vagabonds; Wigan v Anselmians; Bowdon v Wirral; Burbage v Aspull; Hoylake v Wilmslow; Sale v Ruskin Park. Div.Two: Orrell Anvils v Ormskirk; Oldershaw v Warrington; Collegiate v Wallasey; Sefton v Crewe and Nantwich; Dukinfield v Southport. Div.Three: Holmes Chapel v St Edwards; Parkonians v Ellesmere Port; Douglas v Prenton. Div.Four: Port Sunlight v West Park Warriors; Marple v Capenhurst; St Mary’s v Linley; Merseyside Police v Helsby. Waterloo v Blaydon. National Three North: West Park v Darlington MP; Macclesfield v Caldy (3pm). North One: Hull v LSH; Middlesborough v Birkenhead Park. North Two West: New Brighton v Winnington Park (3pm); Stockport v Chester; Leigh v Tyldesley. South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Widnes v Vagabonds; Wigan v Anselmians; Bowdon v Wirral; Burbage v Aspull; Hoylake v Wilmslow; Sale v Ruskin Park. Div.Two: Orrell Anvils v Ormskirk; Oldershaw v Warrington; Collegiate v Wallasey; Sefton v Crewe and Nantwich; Dukinfield v Southport. Div.Three: Holmes Chapel v St Edwards; Parkonians v Ellesmere Port; Douglas v Prenton. Div.Four: Port Sunlight v West Park Warriors; Marple v Capenhurst; St Mary’s v Linley; Merseyside Police v Helsby.