Northern Rail Cup Preview

James Gordon

Featherstone and Oldham kick off a weekend of Northern Rail Cup quarter finals in tonight’s televised clash at Leigh Sports Village.

The game was moved due to the unavailability of Oldham’s Boundary Park, and kicks off at 7.30pm.

Rovers boss Daryl Powell believes his side has what it takes to go all the way in this year’s competition.

He said: “If we can perform well against Oldham, it’ll give us a semi-final game. we are capable of getting to the final and winning it.

“There’s no reason why we can’t do well and give ourselves an opportunity to come out with the trophy, but all the teams at the top end of the Championship are difficult to play against.”

The winners of the Northern Rail Cup will be eligible to apply for a Super League licence for 2012, and Featherstone will go in to the match as favourites against Oldham, who are second in Championship 1.

In the other ties, Widnes host York City Knights at the Stobart Stadium. The Vikings, who won the competition in 2007, have suffered indifferent form in recent weeks, and stumbled through the group stage, which included a defeat at home to Oldham. York go in to the game having pushed Championship 1 leaders Dewsbury all the way last weekend.

Elsewhere, Barrow face Dewsbury and Leigh play Halifax.