Derby pride is at stake

LOCAL pride is at stake for the young guns at Saddleworth Rangers and Waterhead when the two teams clash tonight at Shaw Hall Bank Road (7.30pm kick off).

The floodlit under-18s clash, one of a number of regular Friday evening games organised by National Youth League sponsors Gillette, promises to be a close affair.

Both teams have found it tricky going so far this season, but league form can be disregarded in such a keenly anticipated contest.

“Our lads have been looking forward to this one since before the season began,” said Saddleworth coach Phil Costin, who includes Tony Morrison — recently called up be Great Britain under-18s for the forthcoming game against France — and Oldham reserves half-backs Ethan Langhorn and David Orwell in his squad.

Waterhead under-18s, coached by former Huddersfield prop Mick Slicker Junior, are looking to pick up their first points of the season after losing 20-14 at home to Gateshead Thunder last weekend.

The Peach Road club’s first team, meanwhile, are in action at home to Hull Isberg in National Conference League division two tomorrow (2pm), looking for a win that would help pull them away from the lower end of the table.

Mick Slicker’s side have won only two of their eight league games so far, but with Isberg propping up the table with just one victory all year, this is a game that provides a perfect opportunity for Waterhead to get back on track.

Up in division one, Saddleworth Rangers are away at Millom (2pm), the second successive week that they have come up against opponents from Cumbria.

Coach Keith Brennan, displeased at the way his team fell to a 22-4 home defeat to leaders Wath Brow last time out, could elect to make changes to the team with Tom Lever (jaw) set to come back in somewhere in the backs.

“We are looking for a reaction and hopefully we can show what we are capable of over a longer period,” said Brennan, whose team is currently sixth in the division.

Oldham St Anne’s have to face Wath Brow at home this week (2pm).

Coach Mick Cashin is without the services of front row pair Jason Best and Alex Eyres, both of whom are struggling with knee injuries, and is simply seeking to carry on the progress made so far this season.

“We have been performing really well lately,” said Cashin. “We have improved every week so far and things are looking good.”