IT HAS been a baptism of fire for relegated Waterhead Warriors at the start of their National Conference League, division three campaign.
There have been three defeats against opponents who occupy three of the first four places in the table.
And it doesn’t come much harder than all three of the fixtures being away as Warriors were forced to switch their opener against Woolston Rovers to avoid a clash with a wedding which was being held at the Peach Road club.
Yet those looking at the league table on the Conference website see Warriors have one win to their credit but, alas, that is down to an admin error.
Chairman Mick Slicker snr is not too disheartened explaining they gave a good account of themselves against Woolston before losing 36-16 while the 70-0 defeat at Stanningley was down to only having 11 players due to a club trip to Skegness.
He said: “We knew there wasn’t going to be a quick fix, it would be hard and we couldn’t change things overnight. It is work in progress.
“We are not losing through a lack of effort and the players are working hard and more are attending training sessions more regularly.”
Mr Slicker added he hasn’t set any targets other than to field a team every week.
He continued: “When you look at the first team, it doesn’t look good as we have lost all three games so far.
“It ought to have been difficult financially having all the games so far away, but there are other events going on to bring in money and the club is buzzing.
“There are a lot of people working hard off the field, as well as on it, and we will get things right, but it will take time.”
Meanwhile, Saddleworth Rangers are still seeking their first points of the season after slipping to three defeats in their opening games in division one.
Coach Craig Farrimond admitted he will be making changes over the next few weeks as they look to secure a win and climb the table.
He said: “I haven’t been happy with recent performances, and there will be a number of changes.
“Training sessions are going well, fitness seems fine, but we aren’t currently delivering on the pitch, and I’m hoping some changes will help.”
There was cup final heartache for Rangers, too, on Good Friday as they were defeated 36-16 by local rivals Rochdale Mayfield in the Standard Cup.
But Farrimond hopes the team will be top on form when they travel to Skirlaugh for their next league match on Saturday, April 11.
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