The Cumberland Amateur Rugby League will be contested by 14 teams this coming season, with a First Division comprised entirely of second teams.
Eight senior sides will contest the Premier Division, including Wath Brow A who narrowly missed out to Ellenborough for last season’s title.
The six A teams in the First Division include one from Cockermouth Titans who are entering a second string for the first time.
Seaton have moved up to the National Conference Third Division but their second team will continue to operate as an A team in the CARL First Division.
The shortage of referees continues to be a problem, however, with only five likely to be involved in the coming season.
With seven games to cover in a full fixture list it has been decided that the First Division games will be played on a Friday night – so that referees will be able to double up.
The traditional top four play-offs will remain, although for the First Division the top two will play the bottom two in the Premier Division.
Although 14 teams are set to contest the two Divisions this season, registrations are only slow and just 128 players are currently signed-on.
Members agreed that this is mainly due to the fact that the Rugby Football League decided to charge players a fee of £24 to play.
It appears that players are unable to register until they pay the £24 fee, unless clubs have previously agreed to pay on the players’ behalf.
The 2022 season is due to start on March 5 and the participating teams are as follows:-
Premier Division – Aspatria, Cockermouth, Distington, Ellenborough, Glasson, Lowca, Maryport, Wath Brow A.
First Division – Cockermouth A, Egremont A, Ellenborough A, Hensingham A, Kells A, Seaton A.
