Lancashire strengthen for Yorks challenge

May 17 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

FOLLOWING their somewhat fortunate success over Cheshire, Lancashire have made several changes to reinforce themselves for the vital match against Yorkshire at Harrogate today, following which the winners will move on to play in the County final at Twickenham in a fortnight’s time.

Among the backs, Matt Riley from Sedgeley Park comes into the centre to partner Waterloo’s Jason Duffy, with former Waterloo scrum-half Craig Aikman being promoted from the bench to boost new partner Alex Davies.

It is, however, the forward changes which should be more significant, as Lancashire have so far won barely a third of possession in their two previous games, and been forced to play on the back foot much of the time.

Preston’s powerful Liam McLoughlin comes in at prop, with Alex Loney replacing Waterloo’s Peter Ince at hooker and Petrus Du Plessis completing the trio who could prove crucial.

Fylde’s Roger Banks and Rotherham’s Louis McGowan remain in the second row, while Sebastian Moss, who missed last week’s game, returns at number eight.

Waterloo’s Alistair Davidson, brought in as a late sub last week, remains on the bench, together with his club-mate Jon Nugent.

As Yorkshire played well below expectations last week while being beaten, Lancashire will just have to hope they don’t encounter a ferocious fightback.

Their backs certainly look good enough to do their bit and it all seems to depend on whether their reorganised pack are strong enough to provide some quick possession.

Lancashire are looking to claim the county title for the fifth time in seven years, though they will first have to overcome either Devon, who trounced Middlesex 40-34 last weekend, or Cornwall, who beat Gloucestershire 29-23.

Lancashire: Nutt (Fylde); Royle (Fylde), Riley (Sedgeley P), Duffy (Waterloo), Brennand (Fylde); Davies (Waterloo), Aikman (Fylde); McLoughlin (Preston), Loney (Sedgeley), Du Plessis (Sedgeley), Banks (Fylde), McGowan (Rotherham), Crous (Sedgeley), Palmer (B’head Park), Moss (Manchester). Replacements: Flynn (Manc), Ince (W‘loo), Jones (W’loo), Davidson (W’loo), Nugent (W’loo), Kenyon (Fylde), Doherty (Wharfedale).