RYLANDS Sharks start life in the National Conference League this Saturday at home to experienced Dewsbury Moor, who finished last season in the play-off places.

Sharks, who will start the year with up to 11 new recruits, rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 36-20 win against NCL Division Three rivals.

Although there have been warm-up defeats by higher division sides Wigan St Patricks and Thatto Heath Crusaders, as well as neighbours Woolston Rovers, head coach Matt Wilson is happy with his side’s preparations.

“We have managed to massively improve up front bringing the likes of Jamie Clarke, Nick Braide, Ant Rourke, Danny Yates and Andy Unsworth to the club for 2016,” said Wilson. “They will certainly give us a physical presence, while we have also been able to add Tony Doyle, Gavin Conroy, Mike Harrison and Tyler Whittaker to our back line. We have massive competition for places.

“The pre-season results haven’t really interested me. We have had a few injuries and so many new faces that it was never going to be about results.

“We have gone up against three massively established NCL clubs and we have played some great stuff.

“We have got better and better as we have gone on. We’ve just got to control the ball and be a bit more honest with our discipline.

“The boys are really confident that teams are going to have to take us seriously in this division this year.”