WATERHEAD AND Saddleworth Rangers remain locked in a desperate scrap to avoid relegation from National Conference League, Division One.
And the derby clash between the two teams at Waterhead on Saturday, September 28 is being viewed as a crunch game in the battle to beat the drop.
“Our fate could be determined by what happens in that match,” explained new Waterhead coach Mick Whalley.
“May be one or two more wins will keep us up and our aim is simply to survive and build for next season,” he continued.
Waterhead, who have 12 points, are fourth bottom and one place above the three relegation places with five fixtures remaining.
Saddleworth, meanwhile, are second last with eight points but still with seven matches to fulfil as they bid to avoid back-to-back demotions.
Neither side, however, is going into the finishing straight of the campaign in good form as Waterhead have had seven straight losses while Rangers have won one of their last six.
Whalley, who succeeded Andy Sands mid-season, says he is still building a team with an eye to the future as a number of young players have been introduced to the team.
Waterhead made a fine start to the season and were in the top half before suffering a dramatic slide down the table.
Whalley, who is assisted by John Perks and Paul Geener, said: “We played most of the bottom teams early in the season and racked up the points.
“Since then things have gone wrong as we have had to play many of the top teams while the problems of summer rugby, with players going on holiday, have also hit us hard.”
Meanwhile, Saddleworth coach Shane Tupaea admitted his side face a challenge to stay up as they regroup after a disjointed summer and prepare for five away games from their seven remaining matches.
Tupaea, who replaced Emmerson Jackman in August, said: The holidays have really affected us. Trying to keep a steady back line has been impossible.
“It is hard to plan a team when you are not sure who will be there that week. Over the last few games we need to refocus and I am just asking for commitment from the lads.
“We have five away games out of seven so it is going to be a battle. We need to win at least four games and hopefully other results will go our way too.
“But I am confident if we can recreate the form we’ve been showing, we can get the points needed to stay up.”
REMAINING GAMES
Saddleworth Rangers
August 31: Eccles (A)
September 7: Hunslet Warriors (A)
September 14: Oulton Raiders (A)
September 21: Rochdale Mayfield (H)
September 28: Waterhead (A)
October 12: Stanley Rangers (A)
October 19: Milford Marlins (H)
Waterhead
August 31: East Leeds (H)
September 14: Bradford Dudley Hill (A)
September 21: Dewsbury Celtic (A)
September 28: Saddleworth Rangers (H)
October 12: Hunslet Warriors (H)
