THE heat is on for Millom and Barrow Island as the National Conference season draws to a close.

Two games remain for both clubs as they try to avoid the drop into Division Three.

For Millom if they go down it will be a quick return as they were promoted this season.

It is in their own hands to avoid the drop, and both face fellow strugglers tomorrow.

The Woolybacks are fifth from the wrong end of the ladder (14 points) and are blessed with a home fixture against bottom side Myton Warriors of Humberside (11 points).

A big crowd should be on hand to cheer the Woolybacks to victory as they welcome back Bobby Wright, Kyle Evans, Trent Ruddy and Rio Walker.

However, unavailable are key players Lee Postlethwaite, Andrew Dawson and Dom O’Brien.

Last week they picked up two valuable points with a 30-18 home victory over fourth-placed Normanton Knights courtesy of tries from Rio McQuiston, Jack Newbiggin, Josh Blinkhorn, Nial Harris and Dom O’Brien with five goals from Postlethwaite.

Barrow Island third-bottom (12 points) travel to second-bottom Saddleworth (12 points) and take a relatively strong squad.

The only doubts are Jordan Staffieri and Jake Stockdale.

Coach Jamie Curtis said: “If we can win the next two games it will give us a great chance to remain in this division.

“We will give Staffieri and Stockdale every opportunity to get on the field, so a late call on the two of them.

“I’m disappointed we are in the position we are with the young and talented players we have in the squad.

“Many games we have really competed and lost by the narrowest of margins, so we have to get those two wins that remain.”

In the North West Men’s Second Division, local rivals Roose Pioneers and Hindpool Tigers lock horns at Redwaters.

Pioneers will be seeking revenge for a convincing defeat at the Tigers earlier in the season.

Impressive young forward Ben Niven is in Pioneers squad along with Luke Chelton, Euan James, Craig Deakin, Matty Gedling and Ethan and Toby Bowness.

The Tigers Coach Ken Kyte is back on the touchline after cracking ribs in a recent veteran’s game.

He will have back on board Jack Stevens and Brad Fones, but will be without Zack Middlehurst, Rich Wolfe and Sam Kay.

The Division Two Champions look to end the season on a high note with another victory in a successful campaign, which saw them lose only one game.

In Division One, Dalton are still on track to claim the title when they entertain Thatto Heath ‘A’ at Kelland Park.

Coach Dave High said: “We had a great result at Ulverston last week and look to carry the good work into the game with the Heath.”

Dan and Sam Knott are unavailable, but back in contention are Elliott Stockdale and Harry Gordon.

Ulverston are in a four-pointer with Wigan St Cuthbert’s at Dragley Beck, and are looking to put last week’s defeat against Dalton behind them.

Coach Mark Storey said: “We are looking to get back to winning ways, a poor first half cost us dearly against Dalton, and we need to correct that this week.”

Back in contention are Storey, Jack Aiken, Rowan Smedley and Josh Rankin, while unavailable are Charlie Robinson, Steve O’Connor, Alex Brown, Josh Bayliss, Dan Horne and Connor Ogden.

In the Cumberland League, Askam travel to Flimby with a depleted squad including Rob Cockayne (recently married). Jude McNamarra and Brad Kavanagh are set to return.