Fourth spot a possibility for improving Caldy

Apr 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CALDY head to Hull Ionians today for their closing fixture in National Three North League.

It has been a very encouraging first season on the national scene for the Paton Field outfit. They could well finish fourth in the table which was beyond their expectations when they set out on the campaign last September.

Matt Holt could make his final appearance at prop before retiring to concentrate on coaching duties with the club.

Birkenhead Park head for Darlington in North One and have to field a makeshift second-row with Paul Hellier, Chris Saidi and David Blyth all missing.

Njike Tchakoute moves up from the back-row and Colin Campbell will be his partner. Dan Palmer and skipper Dave Ibbotson after a long lay-off through injury join the back-row completed by Jon Sewell.

Dave Hall will partner Gavin Scott at centre in the absence of Mark McKeon who is another injury victim.

Chester finish one of their best ever seasons at Lymm in North Two West. Simon Love starts on the wing and Dave Legat, Matt Bellamy and Gareth Martin form the back-row.

New Brighton have Broughton Park as visitors and will show little change from the side which won at Winnington Park although Mike Gallimore could make is first start for some time at scrum-half after recovering from a broken leg.

Leigh welcome Northwich on the last full Saturday league programme.

TODAY (3pm): National Two: Halifax v Waterloo

National Three North: West Park v Preston Grasshoppers; Hull Ionians v Caldy. North One: Darlington Birkenhead Park; Cleckheaton v LSH.

North Two West: Lymm v Chester; New Brighton v Broughton Park; Leigh v Northwich. South Lancashire/Cheshire One: Hoylake v Ruskin Park; Bowdon v Aspull; Wigan v Wirral; Widnes v Anselmians. Div Two: Dukinfield v Ormskirk; Sefton v Southport; Collegiate Crewe and Nantwich; Oswestry v Wallasey; Oldershaw v Ashton-on-Mersey; Orrell Anvils v Warrington. Div Three: Parkonians v Prenton; Holmes Chapel v Ellesmere Port; Newton-le-Willows v St Edwards; Moore v Eagle; Mossley Hill v Trentham.