Dudley Hill begin their National Conference League Premier Divi-sion campaign with a new-look team against Castleford Lock Lane.

Hill suffered a body-blow with the loss of key players Dean Blankley and Gordon Long to form a coaching partnership at Sharlston.

On the plus side, they have captured former Sheffield Eagles half-back Marc Gibson and are also trying to secure the return of prop Lee Kelly from Batley Bulldogs.

There are high hopes too for young prospects Kirk Johnson, Richard Barnett, Ruben Joseph and Gareth Walker.

Coach Kelvin Lockett will be assisted by the club's former prop Joe Berry and have set their sights on improving on last season's fifth place.

West Bowling have a double boost ahead of their opening National Conference Division One game at Waterhead.

Seasoned international loose forward Nigel Halmshaw has been selected for the BARLA Great Britain and Ireland squad for the forthcoming Emerging Nations World Championship, and recent signing Scott Pendlebury is set to make his debut.

Pendlebury, the former Clayton play-maker, will line up at stand-off half as Bowling bid to reverse last season's narrow away defeat at the hands of the Oldham side, who are jointly coached by Alan McCurry, the former Workington hooker, and Barry McDermott, the Leeds Rhino and Great Britain prop.

West Bowling player-coach Glenn Barraclough said "We had two tremendous games against Waterhead last season and we both deservedly won promotion at the first attempt from Division Two.

"We will be looking to repeat the form we showed when we won our home encounter 35-12. We have a strong squad with an all-important mix of youth and experience, and I am expecting great things from the youngsters coming through the ranks."