With the weather improving clubs are expecting bumper crowds again for Round 3 of the National Leagues.
After only two games in the Premier Division two teams remain unbeaten and this is likely to change as the top teams meet at Crusader Park where Thatto Heath host Hunslet.
There's a replay of last year's Grand Final with conditions set to better than they were in October where Siddal travel to West Hull in what should be another fantastic advert for the Community Game. At the opposite end of the table Wath Brow travel to Castleford to face Lock Lane where both teams will be desperate to get some points on the board for this season.
Division One sees the top three Leigh Miners, Wigan St Pats & Dewsbury Celtic all at home where they host Kells, Oulton Raiders and Shaw Cross respectively.
A feature this season throughout the leagues is the number of players who are making a comeback after a break from the game, one of these is ex-professional Brett Barlow who last played in 2017 and maybe turning out for Shaw Cross. A lot of people thought East Leeds could be near the top of the table as they had a run-away season winning the Division Two title and scoring points for fun but at this very early stage they will be looking to brake their duck against Egremont.
In the Cumbria Conference, the mouthwatering game was going to see near neighbours both with 4 points Dalton and Hindpool go head to head, this will now take place later in the season. The three bottom places in the league, which is a surprise to some, are taken by three ex-NCL teams who are joined by Ulverston all without a win, but that should change for two of them as Ulverston make the short journey to Millom and Barrow Island host West Cumbrians Distington.
Early leaders Ince Rose Bridge entertain Leigh East where the home team will expect to take maximum points in the North West Conference. Orrell St James who had the bye last weekend will be expecting a tough game against old rivals Ashton Bears but will expect to increase their points tally and move up the table. Another game where teams will renew acquaintances is at Crosfields, where Saddleworth visit, and look to maintain their unblemished record after their game at Clock Face last weekend was a casualty of the weather.
In the White Rose Counties Conference A, Keighley Albions fine run which is a continuation from the end of last season see Myton Warriors as their opponents and 2nd plays 3rd with Beverley travelling to Moldgreen. It maybe another near miss for Dudley Hill who visit Stanley Rangers and bottom of the table King Cross Park may have to wait another week for a win with Drighlington travelling to Halifax.
Yorkshire Conference B front runners Featherstone Lions know they face a tough challenge visiting near neighbours Normanton which is the pick, second place Skirlaugh will expect to return back to Hull with a win after playing Siddal Academy. The other two games Kippax vs Milford and Fryston versus Newsome looking to close to call.
Whichever game you go to, you are sure to see fantastic athletes showing their amazing skills playing the greatest game.
Week 3 National Leagues fixtures - all Saturday 21st March:
Premier:
Lock Lane v Wath Brow Hornets
Rochdale Mayfield v West Bowling
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Hunslet ARLFC
West Hull v Siddal, West Hull
Wigan St Judes v Heworth
York Acorn v Waterhead Warriors
Division One:
Dewsbury Celtic v Shaw Cross Sharks
Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Pilkington Recs
East Leeds v Egremont Rangers
Leigh Miners Rangers v Kells
Stanningley v Oldham St Annes
Wigan St Patricks v Oulton Raiders
Cumbria Conference:
Barrow Island v Distington
Maryport v Hensingham
Millom v Ulverston
Seaton Rangers v Ellenborough
North West Conference:
Crosfields v Saddleworth Rangers
Ince Rose Bridge v Leigh East
Ashton Bears v Orrell St James
Woolston Rovers v Blackbrook
Yorkshire A Conference:
Keighley Albion v Myton Warriors
King Cross Park v Drighlington
Moldgreen v Beverley
Stanley Rangers v Bradford Dudley Hill
Thornhill Trojans v Mirfield Spartans, Thornhill Trojans
Yorkshire B Conference:
Fryston Warriors v Newsome Panthers
Kippax Welfare v Milford
Normanton Knights v Featherstone Lions
Siddal Academy v Skirlaugh
Find out the full fixtures for the National Leagues here.
