There’s a bit of nostalgia for Glasson Rangers tomorrow when they play Lowca at Netherhall rugby union club in the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL.
Coach Scott Burns said: “It will be about 22 years since we last played there so we are turning the clock back. Our own pitch is still too wet but we were determined to get the game on.
“It will be the first time this season that we have had a full 17 man squad which is good and they are really champing at the bit to get going.
“We were unable to get a team two weeks ago and then last week the Cup game was postponed because of the weather so everyone is really keen to get out there again.
“We have actually got a couple of new faces in the squad this week. David Miller played for us about six years ago. He’s a good, solid outside back who went through the youth system with Maryport and it’s great to have him back.
“Jordan Dobson also played for then youth teams at Maryport but hasn’t played seriously for a bit but fancies another go so it’s good to have him with us.
“Lowca are a very good side and I full expect them to be challenging this season, certainly in the top four. Lee Allen is a very good coach and he has some quality players so it’s going to be a very hard game but, as I said, everybody is looking forward to it.”
Lowca were also sidelined last week because their Cup game at Kells A was called off.
Coach Lee Allen said: “Glasson always have a few experienced players that push them round the field so I’m expecting a good, competitive game with them as usual.
“We’ve a big squad when you include our Under-18’s but there are always lads not available so you do really need it.”
The six weekend games in the League have been split with three games apiece tonight and on Saturday.
Kicking the programme off tonight are games at Egremont, Hensingham and Distington all hoping to avoid the disappointments caused by last week-ends Cup wash-outs.
Aspatria did manage to fit in their game at Silloth rugby union club against Cockermouth Titans and they now face a run of four successive away games.
They start tonight at Distington A, the League newcomers, and the Hornets will be buoyed by last week’s win over the Titans.
Mark Ridley said: “It’s our first Friday night game and we have to make changes, mainly because of work and holiday commitments.
“Keenan Foster comes in at full-back and James Robinson returns at loose-forward. We have a new centre partnership with Mark Irwin switching from second-row, alongside Jack Robinson.”
Distington’s Ryan Hodgson added: “We would have liked to continue the momentum from the win over Cockermouth but unfortunately the follow-up game was postponed when Glasson couldn’t raise a team.
“However, it has given us a chance to regroup and the guys have really knuckled down in training and put in the hard graft, so the team is looking really fit.
“We welcome a couple of forwards back from injury which is a real positive and good timing as we expect Aspatria to bring a big pack to test us in the middle before trying to get it to their edges.
“One of our lads to really make a note of is hooker Bailey Worthington, only 17 but he’s got an old head on his shoulders and leads us all over the pitch.
“I think it’s going to be a tight game and we have massive respect for Aspatria coming back into the League after taking a break.”
Flimby are enjoying their return to League action, although results haven’t been to their satisfaction, but the buzz around the village has made it all worthwhile.
They travel to Egremont Rangers to take on the home club’s A team and Ricky Morrison said: “We are looking forward to it and are expecting a very tough game against a well-drilled Egremont side.
“Hopefully we give a good account of ourselves and keep on improving from the games we have had so far.
“Unfortunately we have 11 players unavailable, with it being a Friday night fixture, but fortunately we still have a good number who are available and are ready for a good game.”
Egremont A coach said: “It’s great to see Flimby back competing in the Cumberland League because we’ve had some good tussles in the past and I think we are both two sides hoping to develop as the season progresses.
“There were one or two things in our last game against Maryport that we needfed to work on and as we have a couple of lads back from first team duty they should provide some valuable experience.”
The third game scheduled for tonight is the all-Copeland affair between Hensingham A and Wath Brow A.
Wath Brow’s Paul Farrell said: “It’s a bit frustrating with the postponements and not being able to get regu;lar games so we hope everything is ok this time.
“I think Hensingham A will pose a different type of challenge as I’m expecting a youing, enthusiastic side who won’t stop running.
“We won’t show much change from the game against Askam two weeks ago, possibly one or two but that might depend on who doesn’t travel with the first team.”
Hensingham A coach Chris Crowe said: “We have six Under-17s and two Under-18s doubling up from Wednesday night’s game with Lowca.
“Wath Brow A will be one of the top sides in the Division so it’s a great test for our young lads.”
League newcomers Askam have a home game on Saturday against free-scoring Maryport who have started the season in good style.
Askam are starting to get players back from injury and by the beginning of May coach Chris Broadley expects to be back to full strength.
He has a couple of injury doubts for the game with Maryport and is expecting a stern test.
“I actually watched them in a game at Roose back in February so I have a rough idea of what to expect but they are three from three so will travel down full of confidence.
“They have two very good players back in Craig Foster and Sam Forrester so we know it’s going to be a test but we are looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
Maryport coach Mark Foster said: “We know Askam are new to the League and have started with two defeats but we won’t be taking anything for granted. It’s always tough travelling and playing in the Barrow area.
“We have three players missing from the squad because of other commitments but we have a settled group of players. Two of our Under-18’s who played on Wednesday in the new League, beating Egremont, will be in contention as well.”
The third Saturday game sees Cockermouth Titans entertain Kells A with the visitors heartened by a good win for the club’s Under-18’s against Wath Brow on Wednesday.
A team coach Jonathan Wignall said: “We are looking forward to a difficult fixture as Cockermouth are never an easy side to play against.
“We want to use the A team to integrate some more young players after that very good win over the Brow and want to build on that.”