Hough eyes on the prize

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE

TWO priceless home points is the focus of Chris Hough’s Waterhead side tomorrow.

Standing in their way are Oldham St Anne’s in a local derby clash which has plenty at stake (kick-off 2.30pm).

While Mick Fogerty’s Saints will be doing their utmost to avoid this weekend’s hosts doing the double over them, Waterhead are striving to remain in Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Two.

They are second-from-bottom, three points from safety with five games to go.

Hough said: “Whether it is professional or amateur level, local derbies are always special,” said coach Hough.

“St Anne’s are going to be gunning for us after we claimed the spoils in the last play of the game at their place earlier in the season.

“We’ve got to be ready as they will be firing on all cylinders. We haven’t won for a while, but we picked up a good point against Bradford Dudley Hill and if we can stay injury-free there is no reason we can’t climb the table.

“I’m a proud Waterhead lad and I don’t want to see us go down and I’ll be doing all that I can to stop up.”

Waterhead have a couple of long-term absentees in Dave Orwell (shoulder) and skipper Kieran Grennan (broken leg).

Terry Fitzgerald is absent, but Martin Sarsfield is available for selection.

Fogerty welcomes back Simon Topping and Nathan Jewitt from eight-game bans — Mick Diveney’s suspension ends after tomorrow — while Grant Hudson and Alan Williamson face late checks because of knee injuries.

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