Cockermouth host Anselmians on Saturday, still looking for their first win in North Two West.
But injuries and unavailabilities have had a big bearing on results, particularly last week’s 42-0 defeat at Leigh.
Unfortunately for that first away game of the season the team had to travel with the last 15 players available and three retired men on the bench.
To add to the problems the injury jinx continued with Charlie Poate pulling up with a torn calf in the warm-up.
Fortunately the Wasps have some backs returning and available for selection to face Anselmians – Harry Bibby, Harry Oates and Jonny Creighton.
Two rugby league forwards, Luke Broster and the experienced James Robinson have made themselves available to bolster the pack although they are still short in the back-row area through injuries and unavailabilities.
Looking back on the game at Leigh coach Chris Wright said: “As expected all the lads pulling on the Wasps jersey put in a good stint and at times played some excellent rugby with the ball in hand.
“Over the 80minutes we had two tries cancelled-out and missed by a knock-on as the try line beckoned. With those scores it would have been a more accurate representation of the game.
“Leigh had an excellent back line who were able to counter at all opportunities and plat at a pace Cockermouth were unable to match.
“The half-time score was 27-0 and full-time 42-0 with it all typified by the final part of the game.
“Leigh scored a full-length try after Cockermouth were pressurising the home line when they intercepted a chip kick from the impressive Ed Gate who would have scored.
“The positives for the Wasps were the return of Mark Watson (man of the match) and Ben Irving, who were dangerous throughout and strong in defence.
“It was also good to get a number of younger players exposure to the standard of rugby they need to aspire to with the likes of Alex Butterfield, Luke Armstrong and Tom Johnson learning a lot from the game.”
Wright also had a big word of thanks to the Leigh club whose hospitality to players and travelling fans was top class.
The Cockermouth coach will have noted that his side will have played the current top four after they take on Anselmians on Saturday.
It’s been a tough start for the Strawberry How side with games against Keswick (fourth), Rochdale (third), Leigh (second) and now Anselmians (top). Life should get easier.
Anselmians, from the Wirral, have won all three games so far with a massive 187 points scored and only 32 against.
They opened with a 69-13 win at home to Winnington Park; followed up by winning 39-12 at Bolton while last Saturday won 79-7 at home to Orrell.
