Trojans and Stags on National Cup trail

Thornhill will use the National Cup as part of their build up to the new National Conference season, which begins with a home derby against Dewsbury Celtic on March 12.

The Trojans welcome Morley Borough to Overthorpe Park on Saturday and the Pennine Premier Division side should provide them with a good early test.

Thornhill had Danny Ratcliffe, Luke Haigh and Joel Gibson picked in the Heavy Woollen Select team to face Batley Bulldogs last Sunday but that game was postponed due to snow and will not now be re-arranged.

The Trojans follow up Saturday’s clash against Borough with a trip to Hull Dockers in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup on January 30.

If they defeat Morley, the second round of the National Cup is on February 6, with the Challenge Cup second round to be played over the weekend of February 13 and 14.

Thornhill have also scheduled a pre-season friendly at home to Kingstone Press League One side Keighley Cougars for February 21.

Mirfield Stags are riding high at the top of the Pennine League Championship, four points clear of Batley Boys with a game in hand.

The Stags face a tough National Cup test against Conference outfit Hunslet Club Parkside on Saturday.

The Stags have not played a game since a hard-fought 6-4 win at Queensbury on December 5 so will be keen to blow away any rust.

Batley Boys and Birkenshaw have received byes to the second round of the National Cup.

The Boys closed the gap on Mirfield with an 18-10 win away to King Cross Park on January 2 and they will be looking to pile further pressure on the Stags when they travel to Queensbury in the Pennine League Championship on Saturday (ko 2pm).

The Boys had Adam Bingham and promising winger Jay Jay Price selected in the Heavy Woollen side but were denied the chance to showcase their talents.