Caldy expecting tough clash

Jan 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY bid for a National Three North League double at Harrogate today.

The first meeting ended 18-0 but Harrogate have improved.

Caldy will probably stick to the side which accounted for Fylde last weekend although there is a doubt over Marcus Coast who was forced off early through injury. Craig Ross would be the obvious replacement.

Matt Holt, who has been struggling with injury, may challenge for a front-row start.

The kicking of Simon Mason could prove decisive as Caldy aim to cement their mid table placing.

Birkenhead Park also seek a double away to Sheffield Tigers in North One. Hooker Christian Jones who remarkably scored all five tries for Park in the first match will hope to get on the score sheet again at Dore Moor.

Andy Trotter is set to replace winger Greg Hughes, who suffered a broken arm in a works accident. Matt Thompson takes the scrum-half role.

New Brighton look for their first success this year against Lymm at Hartsfield in North Two West. Stephen Dean resumes at stand-off and Guy Stringer and Joel Parker this time form the centre partnership.

Joe Bowmer reverts to the wing with Josh Bates switching to his more familiar back-row role.

Tom Goulding, from Liverpool University, makes his first home appearance at prop.

Leaders Chester should not be held up away to lowly Vale of Lune, but cannot take anything for granted. They have all their squad available.

Leigh face a tricky encounter at Winnington Park on a full league Saturday.

Fixtures (2.15pm):

National Two: Waterloo v Stourbridge.

National Three North: Harrogate v Caldy; Hull Ionians v West Park (2).

North One: LSH v Kendal; Sheffield Tigers v Birkenhead Park.

North Two West: New Brighton v Lymm; Winnington Park v Leigh; Vale of Lune v Chester.

South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Wigan v Burnage; Widnes v Hoylake; Anselmians v Sale; Wirral v Ruskin Park; Aspull v Wilmslow.

Div Two: Ormskirk v Oswestry; Oldershaw v Collegiate; Orrell Anvils v Sefton; Warrington v Dukinfield; Ashton on Mersey v Southport; Wallasey v Crewe and Nantwich.

Div Three: Mossley Hill v Parkonians; Eagle v Prenton; St Edwards v Ellesmere Port.

Div Four: Linley v West Park Warriors; Merseyside Police v Marple; St Mary’s v Port Sunlight; Congleton v Capenhurst.