IT really is crunch time for Kells tomorrow when they host relegation rivals Thornhill Trojans.

The Whitehaven side slipped to the bottom of the National Conference Premier Division when they were edged out 12-8 at Rochdale Mayfield.

Thornhill did themselves a bit of good by beating another side in trouble, Leigh Miners Rangers as the bottom four met up last Saturday.

Kells, who have usually come unstuck against Mayfield, thought they had fixed their bogey when they led 8-6 going into the closing stages. But a late try from the experienced former Swinton full-back Wayne English left Kells deflated and back on the bottom of the table.

Tomorrow’s clash with the Dewsbury side is a must-win game for Kells as defeat would really cut them adrift. They will also hope that their Cumbrian neighbours Egremont and Wath Brow can do them a favour.

Egremont entertain fourth-bottom Rochdale Mayfield, while Wath Brow visit third-bottom Leigh Miners Rangers.

A win for all three west Cumbrian club would really tighten things up at the bottom in what is looking like an any three from four scenario.

Wath Brow lost top spot last week when they went down 22-10 at Thatto Heath and now trail West Hull by two points and have played a game more.

West Hull have only dropped one point so far (in a home draw with Wath Brow) but have a tough test tomorrow against Thatto Heath, even though the game is on Humberside.

Wath Brow will be determined to get back in the groove against a Leigh Miners side who are in danger of going straight back down. They were relegated in 2017, won promotion last year and if they go back to Division One will be the latest yo-yo side at this level.

Egremont, meanwhile, ended a dismal run of results with a morale-boosting 20-18 home win last week against Siddal.

Leon Crellin scored his second try of the game from the very last play to secure the most dramatic of victories.

It’s been a disappointing run for the Rangers, slipping from top to sixth, but that win took them back to fourth and they will fully expect to follow up against Mayfield.

Hensingham just can’t get themselves out of the bottom three in Division Three and certainly won’t want to apply for re-election in their first season. They gave it a good go against second-in-the-table Dewsbury Celtic last week, without ever being in front but the game was probably closer than the 28-18 scoreline suggests.

Tomorrow they travel to Drighlington who are five points better off in mid-table.

Like Hensingham, Drighlington had tough opposition at home and were always in contention before going down 21-19 to League leaders Hunslet Warriors.

There’s a reduced programme in the Iggesund Cumberland League but it begins, as usual, with a Friday night fixture.

Providing the entertainment tonight, in which should really be a cracking contest, are Wath Brow A against their visitors Seaton Rangers.

Seaton will have been encouraged that they ran champions Distington so close last week, eventually going down 14-12.

Wath Brow A, perhaps, would have been disappointed to lose by so many, 46-12 to the joint-leaders Ellenborough last week.

Just two games are scheduled for tomorrow, Ellenborough Rangers A v Kells A and Glasson Rangers v Cockermouth Titans.