Kells have a walk-over through to the semi-final of the National Conference Shield.
Scheduled opponents Crosfields have informed Kells that they are unable to raise a team for the trip to West Cumbria.
Kells director of rugby Peter Smith said: “We were looking forward to meeting them again because they are old friends. We met them in the 1988/89 National Cup final and after that played pre-season friendlies with them, home on away alternate years.
“It’s also the local amateur club of my old buddy Paul Cullen who was coach at Whitehaven when I had the privilege of being his assistant.
“They had asked us for an early kick-off because they have a function on back in Warrington and we were trying to sort it out with the referee when Crosfields rang to say they couldn’t get enough players.”
Kells had Dave Lowry, Ross Ainley and Reece O’Neill coming back into contention after missing last week’s trip to Thatto Heath.
But James Ennis, Will Ennis and Mason Lewthwaite are all on international duty with England Community Lions in Ireland.
Kells now wait to see who their opponents will be in the semi-final but rather mysteriously the other three scheduled Shield ties are not listed on the Conference League website.
Wath Brow and Egremont, however, are down to be competing in their respective competitions.
The Hornets, who came through the Cumbria stage of the competition with a 100 per cent record, entertain West Bowling who were the unbeaten winners of their section.
The Bradford side got through 26-8 against Dewsbury Moor Maroons while Wath Brow thumped Leigh Miners Rangers 60-12.
In the cup competition Egremont take on Woolston Rovers at Gillfoot.
