IT has been a mixed start to 2019 for Crosfields – and head coach Ian Boden says they should be in a better position.

Soap have won three, and lost as many, of their six National Conference League Division Two matches ahead of a trip to Beverley on Saturday.

Boden firmly believes his side have the ability and squad strength to challenge for promotion, but are yet to show what they are capable of.

He also admits he knows little about their next opponents, who are coached by Hull FC and England prop Scott Taylor and were runaway Division Three champions last year.

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“So far this season we’ve won three and lost three. We should be at six from six,” he said.

“We’re still not playing our best rugby but I believe we should be in a better position than we are.

“This year has seen us have more strength in depth and a lot more competition for places.

“I believe we have the ability and skills for this team to be competing at the top end of the table.

“This weekend’s game against Beverley is pretty much an unknown for us. They came up last year from Division Three and I’m expecting a tough encounter.”

“There are no easy games at this level – they sit a point behind us in the table and we hope for a free-flowing encounter.”

Meanwhile, Woolston Rovers will be aiming to build on the weekend’s stunning win at Waterhead Warriors when they host Eastmoor Dragons in Division Three on Saturday.

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“We were outstanding at Waterhead and that is now the standard that we have set. We don’t want to drop beneath that now,” Rovers boss Mal Holt said.

“We have plenty of areas to improve on and over the next few weeks, we will be looking to up our quality even further.

“Eastmoor will provide us with a stiff test. We need to stand up to their physicality if we are to get the win.”

Amateur rugby league fixtures, Saturday, kick off 2.30pm:

National Conference League:

Division Two: Beverley vs Crosfields

Division Three: Woolston Rovers vs Eastmoor Dragons

North West Men’s League:

Division One: Latchford Albions vs Halton Simms Cross

Division Three: Burtonwood Bridge vs Wigan Spring View, Crosfields A vs Woolston Rovers A, Thatto Heath Crusaders B vs Culcheth Eagles

Division Five: Rylands Sharks vs Golborne Parkside