Elland face acid test of their promotion hopes
Elland put their promotion hopes on the line in Division Two of the National Conference tomorrow when they host West Bowling. The Bradford outfit, who inflicted Elland’s heaviest defeat of the season when they romped to a half century in the reverse fixture, currently sit one point in front of Karl Fairbank’s side with three league fixtures remaining.
“We have three games left and we need to win them all,” said Fairbank.
“If we do that, we keep our fate in our own hands and we will go up.
“There is no motivation needed for this one; the league table says it all.
“They played very well at their place and we didn’t really turn up on the day.
“In the end, we got what we deserved, which was nothing, and it was our worst performance of the season.
“If that game was a fair reflection, they shouldn’t be in the same division as us; but I don’t think it was and everyone wants to prove that tomorrow.”
Elland will be without Tom Harnett, who is unavailable, but welcome back influential forward Cayci Pearson, who made his return after a lengthy suspension in the second team last weekend.
“Cayci will offer us something different,” said Fair- bank.
“We’ve a strong squad, but he’s maybe the one player we can’t quite replace like for like.”
Elsewhere in Division Two, Ovenden host Kells as Gareth English’s team look to build some momentum ahead of the play offs.
The Four Fields side guaranteed their participation in the shoot out for the third promotion place with victory at Waterhead last time out and will now look for back to back wins when Kells arrive in town tomorrow.
“That last win guaranteed us a play off place, so we’re building up to that now,” said English.
“We just want some form and momentum so we hit the ground running when the cup rugby starts.
“It’s going to be tough to- morrow; they’re a good side and they’re the only team to really put a score on us this season.”
Ovenden will be without Brent Taylor, Greg Firth and Jason Dodd, but should have Niall Brady and Luke O’Meara back in contention.