News
Neil Barraclough previews this week's fixtures in the 2009 Northern Rail Cup competition
12th February 2009
FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY
NORTHERN RAIL CUP
WIDNES VIKINGS v OLDHAM
Vikings boss Steve McCormack will name the same 17 man squad as last week when his side meet Oldham on Friday night. McCormack said: "We're looking forward to getting the season under way following last week's postponement. Oldham have recruited well with the likes of Dave Allen, but the Northern Rail Cup is our first priority of the season because it allows us to tick one of the boxes on a Super League licence application for 2012." Oldham coach Tony Benson is expected to be without Gary Sykes (knee) and Dave Allen (back), although Allen could make a late bid for inclusion in the squad. Richard Mervill is unavailable due to work commitments. Benson said: "This is a game we're excited about. The higher level of team you play, the more of a challenge it is. "It should excite the players, but we're more pleased just to be getting a hit out at this stage, regardless of who it's against."
SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY
NORTHERN RAIL CUP
BLACKPOOL PANTHERS v KEIGHLEY COUGARS
Panthers coach Martin Crompton has a full squad to select from as he prepares to get Blackpool's season underway. The Panthers beat Keighley last month in a pre-season friendly but Crompton insists that result will count for nothing. He said: "I don't buy into the pre-season friendlies. They're not as competitive as a genuine game. "Any coach will tell you that your home form is always key and it will be a big thing for us this year. If you can win your home games and pick up the odd result on the road then you're not that far away from the play-offs." Keighley boss Barry Eaton has challenged his side to perform at a high intensity every week following their mid-week victory over Gateshead. Eaton said: "We've probably proved that we are still a good side but we've got to do it week-in, week-out. "Blackpool are vastly improved and we know it's going to be a big ask for us to go there and get a result, but we're capable of doing that. "If we play like we did against Gateshead and apply ourselves again then we'll have a good chance."
DEWSBURY RAMS v SWINTON LIONS
Rams coach Warren Jowitt insists his side's focus will remain upon their own performance rather than anything Swinton might offer in Sunday's Northern Rail Cup clash. Jowitt said: "It's about getting our own house in order at this stage of the season. We've come off the back of two good, confidence boosting friendlies against Bradford and Hull and it'll be good to have a hit out. "We know it's going to be a tough challenge - Swinton have recruited well with players like Graham Holroyd, Paul Southern and Mike Wainwright - but we're focussing on ourselves really." Swinton centre Dean Gorton will not feature due to a shoulder injury that could leave him sidelined for up to three months. Lions boss Paul Kidd said: "After the frustration of last week being postponed, we need to get out there and we're looking forward to it. "There's not a lot of change to the squad compared to last week but everyone's ready and raring to go now."
DONCASTER v FEATHERSTONE ROVERS
Doncaster boss Tony Miller is likely to include three new signings in Sunday's squad to face Featherstone. Andy Speake, Mike Coady and Gary Ellery are all set to feature as the Dons get their season underway. Miller said: "They all did well playing as trialists in the two pre-season games and they will be a welcome addition to the squad." Rovers coach Daryl Powell takes charge of his first competitive game since his return to rugby league. Powell admitted Featherstone's preparations had been hampered by the bad weather but has confidence in his side's ability. Powell said: "When you get as much snow as we had then it's difficult to get on the training field and the playing field. It was a little bit frustrating but that's the way it goes sometimes. "We played Doncaster in pre season so we've had a bit of a look at them. We've got some footage of that so I'll just give the guys a couple of reminders. "Doncaster were very competitive that day, but we've got as much information as we need and we're looking forward to the game."
GATESHEAD THUNDER v SHEFFIELD EAGLES
Thunder coach Chris Hood wants his side to bounce back after their shock midweek defeat at Keighley. Gateshead led 14-12 at half time on Tuesday night but they crumbled under a second half onslaught, eventually losing 40-20. Hood said: "We've just got to take it on the chin and try to turn the negative into a positive. "It's a huge test for us on Sunday against Sheffield. It's our first game against a team that's in our division. "We're at home, we're expecting a big crowd and it will be a big test for myself, the players and the club itself to see how we stand in the Championship." He added: "Sheffield will come with a strong team and Mark Aston will come armed with a solid game plan, but so will we." The Eagles got their Northern Rail Cup campaign off to a flying start on Wednesday night, beating Hunslet 38-16 in freezing conditions.
HUNSLET HAWKS v HALIFAX
Hunslet boss Graeme Hallas will be hoping for a better result when his side host Championship title contenders Halifax on Sunday. The Hawks went down 38-16 against Sheffield on Wednesday night but Hallas saw plenty of reasons to be optimistic after that performance. He said: "We went alright against a bigger and more experienced side and our boys stood up well." Jon Goddard could come into contention for Halifax, who have twice had to postpone their fixture against Blackpool during the last five days. "Fax coach Matt Calland said: "It's going to be a tough year for everyone. There are a lot of good sides around and there are not going to be many easy games. "Bob Beswick looks class in training and Said Tamghart looks good up front - hopefully it should be a good year for us."
LEIGH CENTURIONS v LONDON SKOLARS
Centurions assistant coach Paul Rowley hopes his side extra experience will be enough to bag the points on Sunday. Rowley said: "We've had a false start last week which has disrupted training a little, so this is probably a good game to start the season. "We go in as favourites but we won't underestimate them. They're an unknown quantity but hopefully we've got enough firepower to see them off." New Skolars coach Callum Irving says Sunday's fixture is the perfect start for London's Northern Rail Cup campaign. Irving said: "We're really excited about going to Leigh. It's a new stadium and we're glad to be going to a high profile club like the Centurions. It will be a good test for us and give us a good grounding on where we are and what we need to do to compete." Frankie Reid could make his first appearance for a year after recovering from a knee reconstruction but Glen Osborn may have to wait a little while longer before getting back into the action.
ROCHDALE HORNETS v BARROW RAIDERS
Hornets coach Darren Shaw has confirmed that David Cunliffe (groin) and Tommy Gallagher (hamstring) will not be risked against the Raiders. Shaw said: "Having last week's game postponed was a bit of a blow because we've now got three fixtures in a week. "Barrow have strengthened a great deal and they've got a whole new back row. They're well balanced and they've got a few more additions to come, but our commitment will be there for all to see on Sunday." Martin Ostler returns to the Barrow squad after recovering from an Achilles injury. Coach Dave Clark said: "It was disappointing not to play last week but Rochdale away is now our first game and it will be good for us. "They're going to be competitive but we've just got to concentrate on our own performance - that's what we need to worry about more than anything."
WHITEHAVEN v BATLEY BULLDOGS
Ged Stokes wants his Whitehaven troops to show their mental strength after last week's disruption. Stokes said: "Everybody was chomping at the bit and York would have been a really good opener for us, but you play with the cards your dealt and Batley will be a massive challenge. "The only solace is that they haven't played either. Playing against a Championship side probably makes a difference psychologically and also we struggled with Batley last year - they were the only team to beat us home and away. "Our preparation has been different but in some ways that's an advantage because we've had longer to prepare." Stokes will stick with the same squad as last week, despite having players now recovered from injury that were not available for last week's scheduled fixture. Bulldogs boss Gary Thornton will travel without Paul Mennell, for whom this game has come "a week too early". Thornton said: "We're just keen to play some competitive matches that mean something. "At this point in the season it's a case of getting your own structures and methods in place."
WORKINGTON TOWN v YORK CITY KNIGHTS
Workington boss Dave Rotheram will be without prop forward Dean Burgess for Sunday's match, but says there is good news on his knee injury.
Rotheram said: "Dean saw a specialist on Monday and we don't think it's as damaged as we first thought."
On York, Rotheram added: "They're very good. They've signed well during the off-season and they put 50 on us last year, so we know that they're a stern test for us."
Knights boss Paul March remains suspended for this fixture along with twin brother David.
March said: "The lads have been looking forward to this moment for a long time.
"It's all just about ourselves and that's what we're going to do every game this year. We need to look at our own game and get our own house in order."
Steve Lewis (knee) is definitely out but March is hopeful that Dave Clayton can recover in time to face Workington.
