AN ambitious York Lokomotive RLFC see consistency as their key to success ahead of an exciting clash with fellow Yorkshire Men’s League division three pace-setters Brighouse Rangers.

Lokos have made a perfect start to the league campaign, winning two from two, after claiming the first pieces of silverware in their 11-year history in the form of the Yorkshire Invitation Cup and the Selby & District Plate.

And chairman-player Matt Chapman is looking forward to both the immediate and longer-term challenges of the season, while appearing optimistic about the future as the club's playing and coaching staff settle in.

On Saturday, they take their 100 per cent record to West Yorkshire to face a Brighouse side who have matched Lokos’ every move so far.

Brighouse began term with a 30-10 home win over Kippax Welfare 30-10 while Lokos won 26-18 at Kippax last Thursday. Lokos won 30-6 at Birstall Victoria the Saturday before, whom Brighouse had beaten 30-12 a fortnight previously.

Chapman said: “We’re really excited about this year. We’ve settled a lot of things in the background and Mick Hagan has brought consistency to the team.

“This is his third year as head coach. He’s put systems in place on and off the field and created a good aura around the club.

“We’ve come second in the league for the last three years but we’re hoping to go one better this time. We’ve got eyes on the York & District cup too – it would be really nice to have a successful run in that.

“We had a tough game last week against Kippax but we managed to come away with the spoils. The upcoming game is an early top-of-the-table clash and we’re seeing it as a pivotal one.

“The teams we have played against, Brighouse have also played and won by almost the same margins, so it lines up an exciting contest.

“We’re down on numbers with various engagements but we’re still going with a strong squad, although maybe not as strong as it could be.

“Typically when you go to a West Yorkshire team, you expect them to be big and physical, but it’s rugby league heartland too, so they’ll know their stuff.

“But we’ll just stick to our game plan and not worry about the opposition.

With an eye to the future, Chapman added: “If we go through the season with the same squad, no injuries and our consistency, after a couple of years finishing second, we’ll have a hunger to get that championship medal and finish top.”

Centre Liam Watling is out but second-rower David Jefferson returns along with former York City Knights star Tom Dunmore.

York Acorn ‘A’ remain without a point in division one following 54-6 defeat at Allerton Bywater a fortnight ago. They face a basement battle at second-bottom Keighley Albion who have one win to their name after beating Oulton Raiders 26-18 in their last outing.

Second-placed Heworth do not have a game this weekend, nor have premier division strugglers New Earswick All Blacks or York Acorn first team, up in the National Conference League division one.

Saturday also sees Sherburn Bears travel to bottom side Sheffield Forgers in division four, New Earswick All Blacks ‘A’ host Dewsbury Celtic in division five and Heworth ‘A’ visit Wyke Academy.