OA On The Road This Weekend

By: Andy Houghton

Preview and bus to Cas details

Castleford Panthers v NCL Team - 1:30pm K.O, Referee: Sam Ansell (Wakefield)

Following two good cup wins against top Premier Division opposition in the last two weeks, Heath will travel to Division One rivals Castleford Panthers as strong favourites to get through to Round 3 of the Carnegie Challenge Cup and a shot at a pro-team for the first time since the game against Whitehaven in the 2003/04 season. Paul Hatton knows that the game will be no walkover as the Panthers asked Heath plenty of tough questions on their November visit to Close Street. It was arguably the Crusaders worst home display of the season that day and they still managed to emerge comfortably triumphant 24-8 in the end. However the Panthers are unbeaten in the league since and are likely to be a different beast on their own midding, having only lost one league game at home this season. They will also be looking to impress the home crowd who saw them crash out of the Ace Insurance BARLA National Cup 22-6 at home to top Yorkshire League outfit Queens last Saturday. If Heath manage to play with the same attitude, confidence and skill of the last few games they should be able to justify the billiing of favourites and take the unbeaten streak in all competitions to 11 games.

The Coach will leave Close Street at 10:30am and the kitchen will be open and serving breakfast from 9:45am.

Form Guide - Last 6 games (most recent last)

Crusaders - W W W W W W

Panthers - L W W W W L

 

West Bank Swans v NWC Team - 2:30pm K.O, Referee: Richard Griffiths (Wigan)

The NWC team will be looking to get back on track following two narrow reverses against fellow promotion hopefuls. Had the outstanding Ryan Cunningham not had a late try disallowed last week Heath would surely have taken Clock Face's 100% home record away from them. That added to two clear cut chances to win the game at Wigan St.Judes the week before that went begging, mean that Ste Hull knows full well where his team need to improve. Having already faced the Swans twice at Close Street this season, Heath should know fully what to expect. The first occassion in the NWC Cup saw Heath run riot in a 66-4 demolition job. However the Swans showed great spirit in returning just seven days later and competed for long periods before going down 24-6. That spirit will have been boosted further with two recent wins over fellow relegation rivals Burtonwood and Golborne Perkside A, before they succumbed 28-0 to a high flying Leigh Miners outfit last weekend. Heath will be expected to return home with the points, but nothing can be taken for granted in this game!

Form Guide - Last 6 games (most recent last)

Heath - W W W W L L

Swans - L L L W W L

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