WOOLSTON Rovers are back to winning ways – can they now kick on and go on an extended run of good form?

The Green and Golds cross the Pennines on Saturday to visit Normanton Knights, with head of rugby Mal Holt expecting a keenly-contested affair.

Saturday’s 34-6 win over Milford at Monk Sports Club prevented a third defeat in four games and has them sat third in the National Conference League Division Two table.

In order to stay in touch with those above them, however, Holt knows exactly what his side must do as they cross the Pennines.

“Both games last season were keenly fought with one win each so we know that it will be a closely contested game,” he said.

“They had an excellent home win last weekend, just like ourselves, so both teams go into the game with plenty of confidence.

“The key for us will be how well we can control the game – our decision-making and discipline will need to be really good so that it gives us the best chance of coming home with the win.”

Woolston ran in 28 unanswered points at the weekend, scoring seven tries from six different scorers.

After Tom Byrne’s first-minute effort was cancelled out by a converted Joe Tharme try to bring the scores level at 6-6, the hosts took command.

Dec Leonard, Sam Vernon and Harry Files all touched down before the interval, with Leonard doubling his tally late on to round off the scoring following tries from Craig Lawton and Kieran Moore while Ben Dixon finished with three goals.

“It was a really professional performance built on a good defence and game management,” Holt said.

“The first ten minutes, as always, was an arm wrestle which we came out on top of an that paved the way for us to win the game.

“The rest was down to our shape and aggression which Milford struggled with. We controlled the game throughout and never really looked troubled.

“It was a really positive display, yet we know there are a few more gears yet for us to move through. It is vital that we make our home ground a fortress.”

Woolston: Theo Holt; Tom Byrne, Kieran Moore, Ben Dixon, Alex Pendlebury; Ryan Brown, Dec Leonard; Harry Files, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Sam Vernon, Dan Fearnley, Scott Whiteley. Subs: Sean Boyle, Craig Lawton, Matt Taylor, Ryan Palin

This weekend also sees Crosfields back in action after a week’s break from fixtures.

Soap face a tough trip to face Oulton Raiders, who sit second in the NCL Division One table with six wins from their eight games so far.

Latchford Albion are also back in North West Men’s League action for the first time since April 22 as they travel to Halton Farnworth Hornets.

Woolston Rovers A have had an even longer lay-off – they have not played for four weeks but will finally look to get back on the field on Saturday when they welcome Newton Storm to Monk Sports Club.

“It has been a really frustrating month for us due to not having played so it will be good for us to get out there and look to get another win under our belts,” Rovers A coach Liam Lawton said.

“We have not faced Newton for many years so they will be a bit of an unknown quantity, but we just need to concentrate on our own game and if we do that then we will be a tough nut to crack.”

All of Saturday’s fixtures kick off at 2.30pm.