YM players must be up for big test!

Feb 29 2008 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IF coach Mark Eastwood and YMCA’s supporters thought things couldn’t get much worse than they did at Keighley last time out, then tomorrow could be another watershed!

For the Laund Hill side must visit Yorkshire I leaders Sandal (3.00), who have lost only once all season and are on course for the League title.

The Wakefield side have so far racked up a massive 584 points in 17 games and have a points difference of 438, while YM’s is minus 92!

Nevertheless, no-nonsense coach Eastwood is determined his side are not going to Sandal merely to make up the numbers, and is keen to see them compete.

“Obviously it’s going to be tough, we know that, but frankly any performance at all will be an improvement on the Keighley game, when I thought we were shocking,” said Eastwood.

“Everybody is expecting us to get slaughtered at Sandal, but I’m determined we’ll be competitive, and if we should get anything out of the match it will be a bonus.

“Tomorrow’s game is massively down to individual performances, many of which were poor last time out, and the players concerned know it.

“But it’s also a stepping stone to what for us is an even bigger match a week later against Heath.”

One man hoping to impress will be winger Stuart Proctor, who will be making his first team debut after several good performances in the Seconds.

Squad to meet at Laund Hill (1.00) is:

YMCA (from): Canning; Proctor, Greenwood, Marsden, Ryder; Swift, Walker; Gregson, Dalton, Watson, Hellawell, Whitehead, Bracken, Housley, Walker, Belton, Saville.

Second XV (Sandal, home, 3.00) from: Whitehead, Parker, Watson, Orton-Blue, Orton-Blue, Elsworth, Willans, Sellers, Hellewell, Wilson, Spencer, Mosley, Wood, Terry, Hyahoda, Taylor, Wrafter, Wilcock, Roberts, Butterfield.

Third XV (Sandal, away, 3.00) From: Murphy, Nasey, Tedder, Flaherty, Garrety, Bakes, Morton, Senior, Thomas, Sykes, Noble, Hirst, Hall, Lockwood, Earnshaw, Stephens, Oldham, Young, Stafford.