Last updated at 12:22, Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Cumbria must beat the best to earn a second successive tilt at Rugby League 9s glory at Headingley tonight.

Carl Sice

In their quarter-final at 6.20pm they must overcome Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who topped the East qualifying group, to set up a last-four meeting with either Featherstone or fancied Wigan, who headed the West group after four weekly rounds.

Haven boss Don Gailer has included elusive hooker Carl Sice in the line-up along with Loz Hamzat, Shane Ackerley, Bradd Crellin and Sam Gee.

“It will be Carl’s first appearance and he was really keen to have a run,” Gailer said. “He will love the extra space in the 9s.

“The majority of the other guys have already played and it’s only right that after getting Cumbria this far, they had the chance to go on and try to win it.

“It’s a good reward for those boys who have looked well throughout the competition.

“Loz has scored tries along the way and was more than keen to play, and Bradd Crellin has also had some really strong games.

“He damaged his knee in training and looked after it over the weekend so he could play. They are all confident we can put on a good showing.”

Classy Brett Carter is expected to be among Workington Town’s contingent, with Liam Campbell, James Dandy and Ruairi McGoff among the Barrow players on show.

Cumbria will go in to the competition as underdogs after qualifying as the fourth and final team from the West group, securing their place with a win over St Helens at Wigan last week.

But they were not favourites last year, either, when they battled through to the final, where they lost to Warrington Wolves.

“There are some fair sides left in it, but anything could happen out there,” added Gailer.

Satellite broadcaster Premier Sports will host a bumper four-hour show from 5.45pm, covering 10 matches and at 9.05pm the quest to find RL’s fastest man, when seven players go head-to-head in a length-of-the-field sprint.

The 9s final kicks off at 9.20pm.

First published at 11:30, Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk