Normanton Knights' survival hopes rest on Rochdale Mayfield clash

Normanton's Aaron Butterfield on his way to scoring a try. Pic: Allan McKenzie

Normanton Knights face an all-or-nothing National Conference Premier Division clash at home to Rochdale Mayfield tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides are level on 14 points each but, crucially, it is the Knights who occupy the final relegation place due to an inferior points difference.

A victory for Normanton tomorrow afternoon would move them out of the relegation zone with one game left to play.

They travel to Wath Brow Hornets next weekend, knowing that if they win against Rochdale, all they would need to do is avoid defeat in Cumbria.Mayfield beat Normanton earlier in the campaign with a 32-22 home triumph back in May.

Normanton's Lee Hammond is congratulated on scoring a try. Pic: Allan McKenzie.

If Rochdale were to win tomorrow’s clash then Normanton’s relegation would be all but confirmed.

A draw would only be beneficial to the Knights if they were to win their last game and hope that Rochdale are beaten in their final game at home to Underbank Rangers.

Alternatively, if Kells, who are currently on 16 points, were to lose their final two games against Egremont Rangers and West Hull, Normanton could afford to lose against Rochdale but would still need to beat Wath Brow on the final day.

They would also need a 55-point turnaround, which, if Kells are beaten twice, is a possibility.

Eastmoor Dragons’ bid to reach the Division Three play-offs looks like it is going right down to the wire.

Only five points separate Woolston Rovers in fourth and Dewsbury Celtic in fifth, with the Dragons currently in seventh place.

They travel to 10th-placed Waterhead Warriors afternoon.