Marlins to make life tough

A TRIP to Milford Marlins lies in store for unbeaten Saddleworth Rangers tomorrow, providing a real test of their promotion credentials.

The Leeds club, who were promoted to National Conference League division one last season, have started the season with a pair of wins, the last a 30–0 victory at home to Mayfield.

For Rangers, the game represents the first away test after three successes at home and coach Keith Brennan knows his side will have to put in another strong show to pick up a result.

“We will go over there confident of winning but not overly so,” said Brennan, who has been particularly pleased with the performance of his pack so far.

“Though things have gone well so far, we have things to work on.”

Oldham St Anne’s coach Mick Cashin is targeting a third straight division two win but knows that life won’t be easy against Eccles and Salford Juniors (2.30pm). A well-fancied side, Eccles have won one and drawn one so far.

Cashin feels his team will have to tighten up after almost letting a 20-0 lead at East Leeds slip away last week before winning 24-22.

“We are looking forward to the game but we know it will be difficult,” said Cashin, who is without Dane English (shoulder), though Andy Wallace could return.

“We set off well last week and then drifted out and let them back in. But we showed good spirit to tough it out and have worked on things in training.”

Waterhead coach Mick Slicker is still missing the influential Will Schofield as he prepares to take his team over to play Crosfields in division two (2.30pm).

The line-up for the game will be confirmed late as Slicker finalises his plans, but the Peach Road side should be much changed from their only league match played so far this season, a 54-6 loss at Stanley Rangers when a host of players were missing due to attending a wedding.