Fingers crossed for cup-tie test

RUGBY LEAGUE: AFTER a frozen pitch put paid to last weekend’s match, Waterhead try again tomorrow to play their Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at home to Egremont Rangers (1.30pm).

The Peach Road outfit are up against it in the first-round encounter against their National Conference League Division Two rivals.

Garry Highton’s men are bottom of the table, with only three wins from 12 outings, while fourth-placed Rangers are gunning for promotion.

Victory for Waterhead would set up a home meeting against either Wath Brow Hornets or Norland Sharks.

Meanwhile, Oldham St Anne’s are setting their sights on a place in round three of the Ace Insurance BARLA National Cup tomorrow.

Saints, who bowed of the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle, welcome Wigan St Cuthbert’s to Higginshaw Road (1.30pm).

Coach Mick Cashin praised his players’ efforts in the second half of last Saturday’s clash against Hull Dockers — they trailed 24-0 at the break in the 30-16 defeat — and a repeat performance could be enough to overcome their opponents from the North-West Counties League Premier Division.

Another side to experience Challenge Cup disappointment were Saddleworth Rangers, and they are in National Conference League Premier Division action tomorrow.

East Hull got the better of Keith Brennan’s troops, and this time West Hull are their opponents at Greenfield (2.30pm).

Rangers are in desperate need of points after slipping into the relegation zone.