Wibsey Warriors have smell of silverware in their nostrils (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Wibsey Warriors have smell of silverware in their nostrils

4:00pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport By Jack Strother

Wibsey Warriors are in the hunt for silverware hunt once again when they welcome Ackworth Jaguars in the third round of the Pennine President's Cup at Northfield Road on Saturday.

Coach Jason Hirst has confirmed that the Warriors will keep the same squad that saw off Bank Top Harriers in the BARLA National Cup last week, and they were justifiably rewarded for their comprehensive win with a home tie against Pennine League Premier Division outfit Thornhill Trojans in the next round.

The task in han,d however, is to progress in the Pennine League's top cup, competition and the formbook clearly points to a Wibsey victory against an Ackworth side struggling at the wrong end of the Championship Division.

Division Four colleagues Victoria Rangers and Wibsey Warriors A lock horns for the second week on the trot in the semi-final of the Hudson Foster Supplementary Bradford Cup at Newlands.

Wibsey won the league encounter 38-21 in a high-scoring match but all this will count for nothing in the bid to be the first team to book a berth in May’s Odsal Stadium finals day.

In the Premier Division, Queensbury have a clutch of players back in the frame to meet visitors Hunslet Old Boys.

New signing Dan Hawksworth will make his debut, while forwards Lee Kelly, Jack Evison and Kennedy Timewall, plus Andy Walker and Scott Swann in the backs, are set to reappear as Bury seek to make amends for last week’s heavy President's Cup exit against Drighlington.

Veteran Andy Stephenson also makes a welcome return when the B team journey to Cowling Harlequins in Division Seven.

Birkenshaw, who are riding on a crest of a wave in Division One, are on a revenge mission at Crigglestone All Blacks.

Birky only managed a draw in the home game but they have improved beyond recognition since that day, and with Graham Nash back in harness it could spell a busy afternoon for the Wakefield hosts.

Division Two Wyke travel to Lindley Swifts without talismanic forward Simon Owen, who could miss the rest of the season with a back injury.

Packman Dean Smith returns, however, to plug the gap, and player-coach Ian Wormald will have a fitness test on his damaged ribs.

A revived Clayton will be looking for their second successive win when Doncaster Toll Bar arrive at Lidget Green, while Odsal Sedbergh will be confident of cementing their Division Three second promotion spot with a win at Hoyland Vikings.