NEWSOME Panthers and Slaithwaite Saracens will attempt to play their eagerly-awaited Holliday Cup semi-final at the second time of asking tomorrow.
Heavy frost meant the last-four clash was originally postponed at the beginning of December.
But it will now take place this weekend at Newsome High School, with the Panthers looking to gain the sweetest of revenge for their Holliday Cup final defeat at the hands of the Saracens last Easter.
That will be no easy task, of course.
Although the hosts are having a solid Pennine League First Division season, Slaithwaite are doing even better in the Premier Division, which means a home triumph would prove a massive shock.
But the fact Newsome have nothing to lose could make them a very dangerous opponent.
Whoever emerges victorious will then have a keen eye on next weekend’s second semi-final between Meltham All Blacks and Emley Moor, which was also called off on the original date due to the hosts’ crippling injury list.
Slaithwaite’s second string are also in knock-out action tomorrow and should prove too strong at home to Brighouse Rangers A in the second round of the Pennine Supplementary Cup.
At the same time, two of the town’s teams face Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy second-round tests.
Second Division title-chasers Emley Moor should be far too strong at home for mid-table Division IV side Farnley Falcons, but Lindley Swifts face the toughest of ties at Division II leaders Illingworth.
For all of Huddersfield’s other sides, Pennine League business is on the agenda.
In the Championship Division, St Joseph’s are bracing themselves for a tough home test against second-placed Keighley, while Second Division Under-bank Rangers wil need to be at their very best to win at third-placed Wyke.
Meltham All Blacks will be confident of maintaining their Division V title challenge when they travel to Crofton, but Newsome A will have their work cut out to triumph at leaders Hanging Heaton.
