Halifax are hoping to scale Heights
Halifax face old rivals South Derbyshire on Sunday when the Federation’s National League embarks on its 15th season. Since South Derbyshire were promoted into Division One in 2005 the two teams have met 10 times with the Derbyshire team winning seven of them.
They usually have six or seven Derbyshire county players in their ranks and this weekend’s contest promises to be no different.
Last s eason’s match ended in a 17-15 win for South Derbyshire with them picking up the four overall aggregate bonus points by just 417 – 411.
Halifax have chosen Asa Briggs at Clayton Heights as their home green for the first time.
Derbyshire have been to all the usual venues before and the events of 2007 and 2008 are etched into the Halifax selectors’memories.
Halifax thrashed South Derbyshire 24-8 at Mytholmroyd WM in 2007 but the scoreline was reversed when the teams returned to the same venue 12 months later.
The visitors had obviously benefited from their previous experience.
Halifax’s away team visit Littleover BC, situated a few miles south of the city of Derby. Halifax have been there before but there are two greens there and they could be using the number two on this occasion. Teams ( Halifax names first) - at Asa Briggs: G Coates v J Copeland, C Austin v R Treece, R Nicholson v N Iliff, S Haynes v C Pearson, P Chalkley v A Stubbs, G Nicholson v Parkin, R Holmes v N Jellyman, G Reay v D Blenkinsop, R Hitchen v D Redfearn, J Senior v N Desmond, A Kenyon v M Gratton, S King v C Pearson. At Littleover BC: A Brier v E Furniss, D Stansfield v C Jackson, M McGorlick v R Gill, R Hobson v G Nash, J Summers v A Hartley, G Bradford v O Watters, T Bannister v S Gibson, S Frewin v D Harrison, A Bray v D Hartley, M Regan v B Woodcock, R Gasson v S Gibson, G Swaine v D Smith. Halifax reserves from: DFountain, M Steele, A Wood. Any Halifax League player wishing to be considered for selection should contact David Stansfield (Mytholmroyd BC) or Philip Chalkley (HillCrest).