AMATEUR rugby league returns today with both Crosfields and Woolston Rovers aiming to put pressure on the leaders of their respective divisions.

Soap – third in National Conference League Division Two – are at home as they welcome Barrow Island to Hood Lane.

In Division Three, Rovers also sit third and are one of four teams tied on 10 points – two behind leaders Leigh East.

They travel to Cumbria to take on Millom, who lost out on promotion last year by losing the play-off final.

Head coach Mal Holt expects their hosts to be “a tough nut to crack” but wants his side to keep picking up momentum.

“We have certainly picked up our intensity over the past couple of games and that has enabled us to get two good wins to move us up the table,” he said.

“Millom lost out in the play-off final last season and even though they haven’t had the best of starts to this campaign they are always a tough nut to crack, especially on their own ground.

“We will go with confidence and hopefully we can make the trip home a pleasant one with two more league points in the bank.”

Meanwhile, Woolston Rovers A will have a new head coach in charge for their home game against Thatto Heath Crusaders B in North West Men’s League Division Three.

Will Chadwick has stepped into the breach after previous incumbent Andy Penny resigned and he wants to see his side return to winning ways.

“We will be looking to replicate the way we played in our opening two games and build some confidence within the side,” he said.

“We will be facing a very good side in Thatto but we will be going out there to stamp our authority on the game early on and then look to build some momentum in our play.

“We have a lot of quality in our side and I am confident that we can put in a performance that will give us a chance of claiming the win.”

Amateur rugby league fixtures, today, kick off 2.30pm

National Conference League

Division Two: Crosfields vs Barrow Island

Division Three: Millom vs Woolston Rovers

North West Men’s League:

Division One: Blackbrook vs Latchford Albion

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

Division Five: Rylands Sharks vs Clock Face Miners A