Aspatria will play Tarleton next Saturday in a final workout before the League season gets underway on September 4.
The Bower Park club have said a big thank you to the Tarleton club, based near Preston, for offering to travel to Cumbria for a pre-season friendly on August 21(kick off 2.30pm).
Following a pleasing performance at Kendal last week, the Black Reds were forced to abandon plans for a second hit out against Alnwick today due to a variety of problems arising through injury, holidays and a big club wedding.
It looked as if Aspatria would have to face the first home league game against Sunderland at Bower Park without the benefit of another full-on preparation game.
Then Tarleton, who found themselves in a similar position, answered the call.
By coincidence Tarleton were the last visitors to Bower Park in March 2020 before the league programme was abandoned.
Club treasurer Barney Clegg said: “No competitive rugby has since taken place on home soil and hence the visit of such a well-regarded club is very welcome.”
No doubt they will receive top class hospitality from their Aspatria hosts as Tarleton won’t be playing the Black Reds this season.
Some unfamiliar names will be providing the opposition at Bower Park in the 21-22 season starting in September.
Aspatria will ply their trade in the Durham/Northumberland Division 1 which, as the title suggests, means that all their opponents are based in the North East.
The decision to go east rather than take the usual route down the M6 to Lancashire was taken to freshen up the fixture list.
