BIRKENSHAW were unable to kick off the club's 40th anniversary season on a winning note as they lost 44-10 at Woodhouse Warriors in Division Two Central of the Pennine League.

The game saw debuts for Phil Heath and Sash Wedderburn, while Tony Aubrey, Steven Gallagher and Tom Pickles returned for a further stint at the club in their first league fixture of the season.

Try scorers for Birkenshaw were Wedderburn and Danny Howard, while Gary Proctor kicked one goal. Stand-out performers were Proctor, Aubrey, Howard, veteran Simon Owen and Ben Cousen.

Head coach Lee Wilkins will not be too downhearted with the performance, given that 14 players were unavailable – all of whom are back this weekend for a big derby at Clayton.

The hosts are making their first outing of the season, while Birkenshaw will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat at the hands of Woodhouse.

Both sides will be desperate to secure three points but, perhaps more importantly, those all-important local bragging rights.

Wyke have the chance to do what Birkenshaw could not and defeat Woodhouse as the Leeds outfit visit the Recreation Ground.

Like Clayton, the Wyke players will be looking to get off to a winning start as this is their first league fixture.

Queensbury will look to build on an excellent 68-14 win over Swillington as they travel to Beeston Broncos.

A solid win for Queensbury would allow them to remain at the head of the front-runners, if only on goal difference.

The Broncos, whose season kicked off last week, are bound to be determined to take the points following their close defeat by Oulton Raiders.