3:20pm Thursday 30th April 2009
By Jack Strother
Injury-ravaged West Bowling A will have talisman forward Simon Owen back in the ranks when they take on mighty Sharlston Rovers in the Pennine League President’s Cup final at Dewsbury Rams on Monday (3.30pm).
Sharlston, who contest the BARLA Champion of Champions Trophy final at Fylde as Yorkshire County Cup holders later this month, have once again lifted the Premier Division title after going undefeated throughout the season.
Bowling have had a chequered campaign, finishing mid-table in Division One and suffering the disappointment of losing out to Wibsey in the Jack Senior Memorial Bradford Cup final at Grattan Stadium on Sunday.
On paper they appear to have little chance against high-flying Rovers but thankfully matches are decided by who does best on the day.
Bowling have a wealth of experience in props Steve Pryce, Lee Hutchinson and Phil Chappell, coupled with speed in the three-quarters from Matt Sharp and Callum Wilcox.
Together with the belligerent presence of in-form Owen, this could sow the seeds of doubt as to Rovers’ invincibility.
Another addition to the contest is the bitter memory of the National Cup fourth-round exit at Bankfoot Oval, when Sharlston pinched the tie 28-26 in controversial circumstances against Bowling’s Conference side after extra time.
Meanwhile, Wibsey Warriors meet Slaithwaite Saracens in the Andrew Bennett Trophy (11am) in what is expected to be a high-scoring encounter.
The Warriors are in tremendous form, having walked away with the Division Four championship undefeated and also lifting both Bradford Cups with their free-flowing game.
Star full back Michael Derrick, who scored a hat-trick in the Jack Senior final, is bound to play a major part in the proceedings, while the trusty boot of stand-off Andy Robinson will keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Slaithwaite are also a very good side, finishing their Division Two programme as title winners after posting a staggering 920 points, and will no doubt continue to throw the ball about in style.
The Warriors have no injury worries and will select from strength on the day.
But two of the first names on the team sheet are bound to be the pack duo of hooker Mike Horrocks and loose forward Nathan Anderson, who provide the go-forward from the engine room.
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