Last updated 11:49, Friday, 26 September 2008

ASPATRIA will be bidding to prevent a sequence of three straight wins by North Two East new boys Billingham tomorrow.

The Durham and Northumberland League champions have opened in impressive fashion with away wins at Carlisle and Durham City.

Aspatria, on the other hand, lost at Driffield and got their season up-and-running on Saturday with a home win over neighbours Carlisle.

But coach Mike Scott has expressed the same concerns in both games – a disappointing fade out in the last quarter.

Fortunately they had enough in hand against Carlisle, hanging on for a 25-17 win but at Driffield they had led early in the second half before losing ground rapidly.

“That’s something we have to address. I was pleased with the result on Saturday but not so much the performance. We have to see it through in games,” said Scott.

Aspatria will be without skipper Graeme Andrews who is at a wedding so Ian McDowell will move to prop and the experienced Derek Benson starts at hooker.

Lee Askew is on holiday and there’s an injury doubt over Lee Tinnion (calf) so Jack Clegg is added to the squad.

Chairman of rugby Mark Richardson said: “Billingham have just come up to our level and have won their opening two games. They are obviously full of confidence because the match with us will be their first at home.”

WORKINGTON ZEBRAS travel to Burnley, a promoted team looking for their first win of the season.

KESWICK visit Fleetwood tomorrow – making it the third Cumbrian side they have faced so far. They beat Upper Eden 32-20 but lost 15-14 at Kirkby Lonsdale.

In the Cumbria League two teams from the west of the county have been struggling.

COCKERMOUTH and GOSFORTH GREENGARTH was called off last week because the Copeland side are short on numbers and were unable to put out a front row.

Steve Brown, who was largely instrumental in recruiting more players last season is very disappointed.

“We’ve lost a couple to Egremont and three of the regular lads say they aren’t interested in playing any more.

“Our good Welsh full-back has moved to a different job and Matt McGoogan, our Kiwi centre who has been absolutely outstanding, is going home in a couple of weeks.

“It is really hard work getting a team together and it is so disappointing after the way we improved last season and were getting teams out with no problems,” said Brown.

Another team struggling at the moment for players are MORESBY and they paid the price, going down 54-7 at home to Egremont.

Club secretary Steve Kellett said: “We lost three players to Lowca rugby league, another couple were unavailable while one or two of the older lads aren’t wanting to play as much so we have been really struggling. Numbers at training have been poor but we hope to see it through and hopefully get some younger ones into the team.”

Gosforth Greengarth are due to make the trip to WHITEHAVEN tomorrow while Moresby are at CREIGHTON.

The best match could be revitalised Egremont at home to Netherhall. Other games – Cockermouth v Aspatria Eagles, Wigton Wanderers v St. Benedict’s and Workington Steelers v Millom.