Coach determined to put things right

Craig Highton (above) is one of several proven performers absent from the Waterhead side.

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: WATERHEAD coach Mick Slicker admits his side are struggling badly at the moment — but he is putting in the hours to try to get things going again.

Following last season’s superb Standard Cup final triumph over Saddleworth Rangers at Boundary Park, many felt that the Peach Road side could be in for a decent season in National Conference League division two.

Instead, things have gone from bad to worse and last week’s 46-0 hammering at Egremont Rangers was their sixth in succession.

Slicker called an extra training session this week in order to try to rally his troops. But with so many unavailable and injured, he admits that things are proving to be tough at present.

“We are finding it very difficult,” said Slicker. “We have lost at least half of the players who started the season with us for various reasons and it is also true that the heavy pitches at this time of year do not suit our style.

“But we are trying to get things going.”

Slicker has been without proven performers like Chris Charlesworth, Alan Williamson, Craig Highton and Mick Diveney recently and Waterhead could find it tough going at Ovenden tomorrow (2pm kick-off).

The Halifax-based side, with only one victory to their name all season, pushed Oldham St Anne’s hard last week before losing 24-6 at Higginshaw Road.

Things are a lot brighter at St Anne’s, who sit in third place two points behind leaders Eccles and one adrift of second-placed Stanley Rangers, with a game in hand over both.

The top two face off against each other this weekend, meaning that a Saints win at home over fourth-placed Castleford Lock Lane (2pm) would take Mick Cashin’s men up to at least second in the table.

“The lads are really up for this one and trained very well earlier this week,” said Cashin, who is boosted by the return of 18-year-old twins Mark and Michael Arrowsmith from university.

“We are looking forward to what is a very big game for us.”

Cashin will be without John Fox, who is recovering from laser eye treatment, but Andy Sands (shoulder) should be fit to turn out in the front row.

Saddleworth Rangers take part in division one’s undoubted game of the day, travelling to St Helens to take on Thatto Heath (2pm).

Rangers, who have no fresh injury concerns, are currently top of the table and will head into the game with plenty of confidence.

But with Thatto only a place and one point behind, with a game in hand, it is all to play for in the battle between the promotion-chasers.

“It will be a really tough game and I am sure they will want revenge,” said Saddleworth coach Keith Brennan, referring to his side’s 16-12 home win over Thatto at the end of September.

“They have got a big pack and like getting it out to their backs so we will have to make sure to do better than match them up front.”




Weekend fixtures



Tomorrow — National Conference League, division one: Thatto Heath v Saddleworth Rangers (2pm). Division two: Oldham St Anne’s v Castleford Lock Lane (2pm); Ovenden v Waterhead (2pm).

North-West Counties League, division one: Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’ v Blackbrook. Division three: Haresfinch v Saddleworth Rangers ‘A’. Division four: Higginshaw v Leyland Warriors. Division five: Rochdale Cobras v Waterhead ‘A’.

Pennine League, division four: Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks v Hollinwood.

Sunday — Gillette National Youth League: Saddleworth Rangers v Barrow Lakers.

North-West Counties Youth League, under-18s premier division: Oldham St Anne’’s v Rylands.

Under-17s division one: Latchford Albion v Waterhead.

Under-16s premier division: Oldham St Anne’s v Blackbrook Royals. Division two: Folly Lane v Saddleworth Rangers; Shaw Rhinos v Moss Bank Bulldogs. Division three: Fitton Hill v Widnes St Maries.