St Benedict’s couldn’t have wished for a better start to life in North One West as they sit proudly on top of the first table.

An impressive 43-9 win at Leigh has set them up nicely for a highly attractive home game tomorrow against Vale of Lune.

Club secretary Stephen Howse said: “I can only applaud the lads’ commitment and work ethic having travelled down with several players unavailable due to work commitments and holidays.

“It was a great performance and credit to the guys that stepped in. The coaching staff will have to think long and hard as some of the players not available will be in contention for the visit of Vale of Lune.

“It will be hard not to keep faith with the lads who played so well at Leigh as the whole squad played their part.

“Gordon Maudling was outstanding from minute one and deserved our man of the match award but Shaun Walker in the second row came mighty close to him.

“James Taylor was brought into the front row and never took a backward step, along with Stuart Wilson who stepped up to the front row. Ryan Fisher marshalled the back-line all day and never shut up which was great to see.”

Tomorrow’s visitors Vale of Lune lost 21-8 at home to Northwich last Saturday.

In North Lancs Cumbria, Workington entertain Fleetwood, who will be encouraged by their 17-3 home win over Aspatria on the opening day.

The Zebras had lost 37-10 at Trafford but the score-line was closer than the result suggests. The big difference, however, was the hosts capitalised when chances came their way whilst the Zebras didn’t.

The Zebras had lost scrum half Andrew Branthwaite shortly after half time and following the reshuffle Phil Flavell, operating at standoff, was instrumental in launching attacks on the tiring home defence. It was left however to prop forward Chris Stringer to finally breach the home line with Sam Robinson converting.

Robinson had kicked an earlier penalty for the Zebras who were guilty of squandering too many opportunities.

Aspatria slugged it out for second place last season with Bolton, and finally had to concede after being docked points in controversial fashion.

Well Bolton lost the promotion play-off game so visit Bower Park tomorrow as early leaders following their 37-10 win over Hawcoat Park.

The Black Reds had done the double over Fleetwood last season and acknowledged that their hosts last Saturday were much improved. It all ended disappointingly, or instantly forgettable as one Aspatria stalwart said.

Wigton, who beat Littleborough 18-11 go to Oldham while Silloth, beaten 34-12 by Oldham travel to Droylsden, Manchester to take-on Aldwinians.

The Cumbria League starts tomorrow with five games and Whitehaven v Egremont is the stand-out fixture. Also playing are – Millom v Keswick; Windermere v Cockermouth; Moresby v Furness; and St Benedict’s Ravens v Carlisle Crusaders.