Rugby Union By John Walsh

Last updated 12:58, Friday, 28 November 2008

Aspatria will be looking to kick-start their season tomorrow at Pontefract after being dragged into the North Two East basement area.

Third bottom with just three wins from nine games, the Black Reds are two points behind their opponents, but do have a marginally better points differential.

The players were given the week-end off because of it being a Cup Saturday so a few aches, pains and bruises had a bit more time to heal.

Chairman of rugby Mark Richardson said: “We should be going at strength. Gary Hodgson is able to return to the pack after a two match ban so he will be an asset.

“The only concern is centre Lee Askew who tweaked a hamstring in a game of rugby league for Broughton Red Rose.

“Our last two games have been against the top two sides in the division and we did well despite losing both games. There was a positive approach and two committed performances.

“Now if we go in that frame of mind we will be fine. No disrespect to Carlisle, but if they can go to Pontefract and win, so should we. It will depend on whether we have our positive heads on.”

Wigton are still standing in the national knockout competition, the Senior Vase – but they also have their sights set on promotion from North Lancs Cumbria.

Tomorrow Wigton host local and top four rivals Workington when they will have both Tane Manihera and Steve Carruthers back in the squad after missing last week’s Senior Vase win at Heaton Moor.

James Brough, who was also unavailable is back, along with Mark Thompson and Stuart Creighton.

“It’s a crucial game for us because we can’t afford to drop any further behind the leading group,” said coach Malcolm Brown.

But Workington will be depleted in the scrum with four key forwards missing at Lowmoor Lane.

David Bowe is suspended; Andrew Wordsworth is moving with his job and has joined the Sunderland club while both Ross Dougherty and Ben Lanighan are out with injury.

Leaders Vale of Lune entertain Keswick, who had a break last week after they had moved off the bottom of the table with a good 44-21 home win against Upper Eden.

In the Cumbria League the top match St. Benedict’s against Netherhall has been postponed. Saints aren’t happy because they will lose-out on £1,200 of sponsorship after Netherhall pulled-out in midweek.

The Maryport club is struggling badly for front row players with Lewis Tyson and Ryan Robertson on the long term injury list; Lee Towers has an ankle problem and Paul Dixon is working away in London.

Last week stocky winger Mark Orchard played for 30 minutes but was forced to come out of the pack and won’t be able to play there.

The scheduled games are: Egremont v Creighton; Gosforth Greengarth v Millom; Whitehaven v Moresby; Wigton Wanderers v Aspatria Eagles; Workington Steelers v Cockermouth.