It doesn’t get any easier for Kells in their efforts to fight their way clear of the National Conference drop zone.

Bottom of the Premier Division, three points from safety, Kells host the league leaders West Hull tomorrow.

Last Saturday they entertained local rivals Wath Brow, losing 22-10 to the side who are only behind West Hull on points differential.

West Hull have started the season impressively, winning 50-16 at Leigh Miners Rangers last week and they are the only unbeaten team in the competition. They share top spot with Wath Brow (who drew on Humberside recently) but do have a game in hand of the Hornets.

Kells coach Mark Ryan will be trying to draw on the spirit within the team which delivered a 6-0 opening day win over the champions Hunslet Club Parkside. Sadly, that’s been Kells’ only victory so far as they have suffered seven consecutive defeats.

Wath Brow will be hoping that Kells can do them a favour against West Hull, but from the home point of view it will be more a case of doing themselves a favour if they can win.

The Hornets will expect to win their home game over Rochdale Mayfield, who currently occupy the final relegation place. They only have three points but have played fewer games (six) than everyone except Thatto Heath Crusaders.

Mayfield have lost their long-serving coach Matt Calland recently, after he accepted an invitation to go back to his first professional club Rochdale Hornets. Their BARLA international Lewis Sheridan, the club captain, has also followed Calland to Rochdale.

It probably showed last Saturday when they suffered their fifth defeat in a row, losing 46-22 at home to Siddal. It’s probably the right time to catch them in the fixtures.

Meanwhile, Egremont suffered a shock 24-20 home defeat to Lock Lane to slip three points off the pace behind West Hull and Wath Brow.

Nobody saw that coming, especially after the Cumbrian had gone 12-0 ahead early doors. But they had to come back from an 18-12 deficit at the break and five minutes from the end they led 20-18.

A converted try then stole it for the Castleford side and left Egremont contemplating their game management.

It won’t be easy to bounce back from that as tomorrow the Mont travel to champions Hunslet Club Parkside, although they did struggle to beat relegation candidates Thornhill Trojans 12-2 last Saturday.

There’s a big game in prospect for Hensingham in Division Three when they travel to Oldham St. Anne’s.

Hensingham are next to bottom with five points from their 10 games while their hosts are two points better off but from a game more. The west Cumbrians were caned 58-10 at Heworth yet, after half-an-hour, enjoyed a 10-8 lead. Sin-binnings for Finn Barwise and Chris Smith did not help the cause.

In the Iggesund Cumberland ARL leaders Ellenborough will get a look at Distington, the team who are matching them every step of the way so far.

That’s because Ellenborough’s new A team travel to Distington tomorrow on what will undoubtedly be used as a scouting trip.

Mind you if form is any guide the young second team might be in for a torrid time having suffered some heavy defeats recently.

The champions will be in no mood to take it easy, trying to emphasise to their visitors just how effective they can be.

Ellenborough’s first team travel to Lowca bidding to stay top of the pile alongside their rivals and make it 10 wins from 10 games.

The weekend starts tonight at Cockermouth where the Titans entertain Kells A.

Perhaps the tightest game of the weekend could be at Glasson where the home side entertain third in the table Wath Brow A.

Glasson gave it a good go against Elbra last week, going down 34-18 after drawing the second-half.

Hornets second string trail the top two by four points but do have a game in hand.

Other games: Egremont A v Aspatria; Seaton v Maryport; Hensingham v Seaton A.