WEST Bowling head coach Ryan Hunkin says his team just have to stick to their principles and systems and not think about the opposition ahead of Sunday's exciting clash at League One side Workington Town, but pondered out loud whether the weather could be a leveller.

It is expected to be extremely windy off the Cumbrian coast, which could potentially aid what would be an enormous Challenge Cup Third Round shock.

Asked whether his National Conference League Division One side can realistically win, Hunkin said: "There's always belief within the squad that we can get to the next round.

"I'd never say it's a free pass and that we just need to go out and 'enjoy the game'.

"There's been good numbers at training this week and competition for places. There could potentially be some new people coming in too.

"We can do more homework on Workington than we did (in the last round) with Sherwood Wolf Hunt but we've just got to stick to our our principles and systems and focus on us being the best we can be.

"The weather could be a good leveller for both teams too, as there's meant to be 80mph winds battering the coast in Cumbria."

Conditions were not great during Bowling's fine 38-6 win at Nottinghamshire side Sherwood in the last round either, but Hunkin's side were already well in front by the time the weather had significantly deteriorated.

He said: "When the pitch was in good condition in the first half, I thought we did really well and showed good composure, but we were sloppy in the second half when the conditions deteriorated.

"They would have troubled us more out wide, looking at their shape pre-match, but they didn't really do that. It was a good test for our middles again though, as theirs were big and strong.

"Overall I'm really happy, and I was pleased to come away with no injuries."

Captain Richard Lumb scored two tries in the win, with Hunkin saying: "He's massive for us and has been our captain for a lot of years.

"He leads by example and his talk in game is huge for us. Defensively, he just calms everyone around him.

"I've been really pleased with him and his performances in pre-season."