rugby union By John Walsh

Last updated 13:46, Friday, 10 October 2008

Workington travel to Heaton Moor tomorrow on the back of their best performance of the season last weekend.

The Zebras beat Fleetwood 46-12 at the Ellis Sports Ground to move into third place in the North Lancs Cumbria League level on points with Kirkby Lonsdale (2nd) and Tyldesley (4th).

Manager Kevin O’Neil said: “It was an excellent effort and we want to push on from here and make an impression.

“Heaton Moor drew at Keswick on Saturday but we’ve heard that they tend to be stronger at home so we are expecting a hard game.”

Mike Hawley is man of the moment for the Zebras, after scoring his second try hat-trick in successive matches and looking a classy prospect. Cumbria county honours must surely beckon if he continues at this rate.

But Workington have decided make changes for the trip to Stockport. Winger Scott Campbell and returning prop Ben Lanighan, who both came on from the bench and performed well, will start.

O’Neil and Keswick coach Alan Gray were able to exchange notes on Heaton Moor on Wednesday when they were watching an Under-14’s match at the Ellis.

Keswick drew 6-6 on Saturday and tomorrow they are on the road to Oldham who have lost all three games so far – and have one outstanding game to catch up with against Kirkby Lonsdale.

The game was called-off last week-end after the sudden death of 40-year-old club stalwart Bob Simpson, whose 20-year-old son Daniel also plays for Oldham.

So it’s sure to be an emotional afternoon for the Oldham club as they get back into the routine against the Cumbrians.

Keswick have to make four changes because of unavailabilities. Joe Roper, Mark Ireland, Matty Roper and Lance Lake all have to miss out so John Hume, John Helme, Viv Wilmott and Phil Smith will plug the gaps.

Wigton are also on the road and travel to Fleetwood bidding to build on their 20-5 victory over Burnley last week.

Wigton coach Malcolm Brown said: “We did the double over Fleetwood last year but I’m expecting them to be fired-up after their heavy defeat at Workington last week.

“I’m optimistic because we did well last week in dreadful conditions, although we are going to have to make changes.”

In the backs Tom Gardner and David Warwick are unable to travel so Greg Tickle will come in for his League debut and Mark Thompson makes his seasonal debut.

Dave Waning, Shaun Clorley and Stuart Creighton are all missing in the pack so Mark Grainger and Sean Stephens are ready to step in.

Up in North Two East Aspatria entertain Ilkley after a 14-0 win at Durham City last week put them mid-table.

But chairman of rugby Mark Richardson said: “All I’m going to say is that a win is a win. We weren’t at our best and I’m hoping for a big improvement on Saturday.”

In the Cumbria League top match is likely to be the Copeland derby between improving Egremont and St. Benedict’s, looking to bounce straight back after last season’s relegation.

Other games include: Aspatria Eagles v Moresby; Cockermouth v Netherhall; Wigton Wanderers v Gosforth Greengarth; Workington Steelers v Whitehaven.