The impression I've got from Pilks is a definate maybe. I've heard the rumours about Hindley applying but having spoken with the coaching staff they seem to have a different view on it. The structure might well be there or there abouts but the playing stength and consistency isn't there yet.

I'm not sure the travelling is the deciding factor with the remainder of the premier teams either, for instance Barrow make long journeys every other week. We entertained them yesterday and they didn't say if they were applying or not, I suspect playing depth may well be factor there as well.

Personally I think this years been a bit of a wash out from top to bottom but the 1st season was always going to be. Once the winter to summer teams have had a decent rest and adapted to the different demands of summer I think the end of next season will be a watershed in terms of clubs applying for NCL.

It will be interesting to see how the winter teams from Leigh East, Widnes Saints(?), Golborne, Rylands and Blackbrook go because that may also be a deciding factor in the succes or failure of the switch to summer rugby.

To be honest I don't think any premier division team or even Hindley would have much trouble in a new NCL division 3, if anything the problem would be the step down in standards. Obviously there may be some really good bids that have been kept secret.

Widnes Saints were going to have a winter team but aren't now. There will be a West Bank Bears team though. Interesting about Blackbrook, I hadn't heard that.

They're announcing this Sunday if the NCL is having a division 3 or not. Think it's borderline if there's enough clubs.

The following 9 clubs have been recommended for acceptance:

Kells
Peterlee Pumas
Barrow Island
Pilkington Recs
Wigan St Cuthberts
Hindley
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Coventry Bears
Nottingham Outlaws

Though Coventry Bears may be in Championship 1.

Apparently they're looking at some late applications. I'm not sure how many but Blackbrook have applied. Think Warrington Wizards and Woolston Rovers are looking at a joint bid unless I heard it wrong?