11 Mar 2022

NCL Preview | Week 2

Week two of the National Conference again promises a few classic encounters with Hunslet Club Parkside hosting Thatto Heath Crusaders and Wath Brow Hornets doing battle with Thornhill Trojans in the Premier Division.

Division Two sees Woolston Rovers host Wigan St Judes, while in Division Three Hensingham and Seaton Rangers lock horns in a Cumbrian derby.

Plenty of eyes will also look on Division One where last season's Shield finalists Kells, back under the stewardship of Peter Smith, take on West Bowling.

Kells were due to start their season at Featherstone Lions last week but were left kicking their heels after that fixture was postponed.

Having got over the delay, Smith admitted, "We are buzzing this week after being a bit frustrated at the game being called off last week."

The game will be played on the infamous Pit field and Smith had this to say following training this week. "It's cold there I tell you, and I'd forgotten how cold it was with my three-year hiatus! That said, we've had good sessions up there this week."

Having stepped back into the head coaching role following the departure of Steven Kirkbride, Smith continued, "I've come back in and I'm working with some good lads. I've said everyone has got to help out whether it's picking a cone up, a ball or a flag pole, as long as we all work together that's all well and good."

"I know West Bowling have taken a different turn in recent years and are regarded as one of the favourites for the league."

"We know we are in for a tough game and we've highlighted that to the lads tonight at training - you've got to be on your guard against teams like this."

"We've got some good youth coming through, but I've emphasised that it's a team effort. We don't rely on one particular player, but you've got to play to your patterns and you've got to play to your strengths."

"The Pit field is a big leveller. We'll be playing on there until probably mid-May until it dries out and then moving back to the Welfare pitch."

West Bowling started their season with a gutsy 24-16 defeat of Stanningley. Head Coach Ryan Hunkin said of that game, "We were happy with how we went. We conceded early and responded well off the back of it. The injury loss of Danny Halmshaw was a big one and how we managed that was quite good. He's a pivotal player and a key player, one we are certainly going to miss, but having Archie his brother on the bench, who is another exceptional nine, helped us out a lot."

"Challenges like that will come up, although hopefully not in that fashion very often. It was a bad injury but the reaction was good. That's something I've spoken at length to the lads about. There are going to be challenges and the squad is going to be challenged and if we want to be up towards the top of the league, then everyone will have a part to play at some point within the year."

"Archie played his part on Saturday alongside some of our senior players, especially after going behind 6-0 after their first set."

Saturday brings a road trip to Kells and Hunkin added, "We're excited to get our trip to Cumbria and get it done early doors. Generally, we've had trips to Cumbria at the back end of the year, but it will be a different pitch, a different environment weatherwise. I'm not expecting a fast track. That will test us with ball in hand and how we like to play. It might mean a few adjustments to our squad and how we go on the bench, but we are looking forward to it."

"They had a great year in 2021, just losing out to West Hull in the plate. I think they will be up for it as well. It should be a belting game."

It all gets started at 2:30pm.

Premier Division