The much anticipated start of the NCL season came in the second weekend in March, and Pilks faced an early test against fellow promotion hopefuls Leigh Miners Rangers.
Conditions definitely played a part as both teams struggled to gain a foothold in the game, but with the game heavily in the balance, Ryan Hilliard was sent off for a professional foul and Leigh took full advantage, running out convincing 24-8 winners.
It was then all eyes on the Challenge Cup as Coventry Bears proved to the opposition. It was a team that Pilks had faced before, before the Bears managed to secure a semi professional licence.
However Pilks would have to wait a week before facing their toughest challenge of the season as snow and temperatures as low as -9 meant the game would have to be called off. A logistical nightmare for Pilks as it was now two games that would have to be rearranged for the community side.
When the match did come, it did not disapoint. Pilks led for the majority of the first half, but a disallowed try from Jono Peers changed the shape of the game, with Coventry going down the other end and grabbing a try. Whilst Pilks still made them work for it, the Bears proved their superiority in the final ten minutes by sealing the game.
With the cup disapointment out of the way, Pilks travelled to another promotion hopeful in Featherstone Lions. It was another entertaining game, but again Pilks would fall short as they lost 32-20 in the Pennines.
After two diffcult away games, Pilks were back at Ruskin Drive to face York Acorn and Milford Marlins. These games saw Pilks pick up their first points of the season as they won both games 30-18 and 40-12 respecitvely.
They then ended April with their first away win of the season as they won 22-10 at Oulton Raiders to get their season well and truly underway and leave their diffcult and disruptive start behind.