West Bowling host old rivals Bradford Dudley Hill in the only game in town at the Bankfoot Oval on Saturday. The local derby is always the first game pencilled into the fixture diary by both sets of supporters.

No matter how much the coaches try to play down the significance of the National Conference Division One clashes in the overall scheme of things, the games are of immense importance in the quest for local bragging rights.

Bowling have drawn first blood with a 24-14 win at Parry Lane in September.

At that time they were firmly in the doldrums having made a slow start to their campaign.

Hill were riding high at the time, challenging the top four and the result was a surprise to say the least. This time the boot is on the other foot, with Wests recently moving into the top four having won six of their last seven outings and Hill having a lean spell. That was illustrated by last week’s surprise BARLA Cup exit at Castleford Lock Lane.

Reference to the form book will, however, be superfluous. Both sides are at full strength and it will be down to who dares wins on the day.

The old adage that ‘forwards win matches and the backs decide by how many’ is likely to prove correct once more.

Hill’s enforcer prop Jason Lee is available despite being sent off last week and the clash with his experienced opposite number Andrew Senior will be worth admission alone.

Both packs look to be evenly-matched, leaving the battle of the half-backs to play a crucial role.

Hill pair Tony Williams and Danny Thomas are top-of-the-ground performers who can carve any defence into pieces while the more workmanlike duo of Wests’ Gareth Cullerton and Josh Garden tend to settle in for the long haul, ready to pounce on any opportunity.

Marksmen Lee Innes and Neil Wall, two of the most exciting wingmen in the competition, are pitched together on the flanks in what could be a match-winning side show.