Derby-day doubts

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: WATERHEAD will hold a pitch inspection tomorrow morning to determine if their local derby against Oldham St Anne’s (2.30pm kick-off) can go ahead.

The Peach Road club — still on the lookout for a new head coach following the resignation of Mick Slicker — are hopeful that the game will be on though there is a danger of the pitch being waterlogged.

Should the fixture get the green light, the home team will be hoping to make amends for last week’s 32-0 loss away to leaders Eccles.

Prop forward Philip Joy, loose forward Terry Fitzgerald and stand-off Aaron brown impressed in defeat for the visitors and the acting coaching team of Paul Geener and John Byram will be hoping for better tomorrow.

From a St Anne’s perspective, the derby presents an excellent opportunity to get back to the top of National Conference League division two.

Two points behind, with a game in hand and a points difference advantage on Eccles — who don’t play tomorrow — Mick Cashin’s side are on a high after recovering from being 14-0 down at home to Egremont to win 42-24.

Kiel Lancashire scored a try and kicked seven goals for Saints, who again benefited from a strong performance in the forwards.

This is the second meeting of the two sides in the league this season.

In the first, St Anne’s ran out 54-16 winners at Higginshaw Road with centre Chris Carter getting a hat-trick of tries.

Elsewhere, in division one leaders Saddleworth Rangers are without a fixture this weekend.