Saints at make-or-break stage

THE FIRST division future of Oldham St Anne’s rests on tomorrow afternoon’s home game against Normanton Knights.

Saints are desperate to string together a run which will spare them relegation to National Conference League division two.

Currently five points adrift of safety but with games in hand on those sides around them, coach Mick Cashin knows that victories have to be found quickly.

However, it will be anything but easy at Higginshaw Road tomorrow (2.30pm kick off) against a Knights side in red-hot form, who defeated third-placed Widnes St Marie’s 32-26 last weekend.

“It is difficult for us to put our finger on it,” said Cashin, who hopes to have Martin Ryan (jaw) back involved, of his team’s barren form.

“We are training well and know that we can still get out of the position we are in.”

SADDLEWORTH Rangers are away at Eastmoor Dragons tomorrow (2.30pm), knowing that nothing less than a win will do if their ambitions of a top-three finish in National Conference League division one aren’t to be severely dented.

Coach Keith Brennan makes one change, with veteran half-back Chris Garforth stepping back up to first-team in place of Michael Coates, who sits this one out as a result of various bumps and bruises accumulated across Rangers’ heavy schedule of recent weeks.

"These are the games we have to win," said Brennan, who has Jason Best back.

WATERHEAD coach Mick Slicker is hoping his side pick up from where they left off, following the 30-16 win at Castleford Lock Lane last week.

The team is on the road again tomorrow, this time at Warrington-based Crosfields (2.30pm), and should Slicker’s men pick up a win they will leapfrog their opponents into ninth spot in division two.

OLDHAM St Anne’s under-18s take on Gillette National Youth League leaders Leigh Miners Rangers at home in the BARLA National Cup semi-finals on Sunday (1pm).

A talented group of St Anne’s players has risen to the occasion plenty of times so far this season and with a final place up for grabs, will be determined to ensure their season carries on going.