Two of the main protagonists for the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland League Premier Division title are set to square up.
But this is not a League clash but an opening round of the BARLA Cumbria Cup between Distington and Ellenborough, which promises to be a cracker.
Distington, who have started the season impressively, host the reigning champions Ellenborough who have also opened in top form.
Carl Hewer is acting as assistant coach at Distington and the man who has led the club to Cumberland ARL honours, is now working under Aiden Worthington.
“Aiden has took on the top job and he’s started really well after a very good pre-season.
“We have played well, winning all our games but we certainly had our toughest test last week against Cockermouth and I don’t think the 42-10 score-line was a fair reflection on the effort the Titans put in.
“It was probably a good one to have ahead of what is undoubtedly going to be a very tough game with Ellenborough.
“They are a good side and they have strengthened the squad this week by signing Jonathan Goulding and Gary Tierney,” said Hewer.
Distington’s main recruit ahead of the season was former Whitehaven and Kells’ half-back Tyrone Dalton, 32, who had played previously for the club.
“A lot of his mates are from Distington and as he couldn’t commit to travelling down the motorway with Kells once a fortnight it was a natural move for him to sign for us.
“We’re alsoi pleased to have Liam McNicholas back at prop after being out with a bad injury and he’s strengthened the pack for us,” said Hewer.
Ellenborough’s squad has been boosted by the recruitment of Goulding, 33, a former BARLA tourist who briefly spent time with Workington Town but played only once. He had dropped out of the game but has been encouraged back by Elbra.
Tierney, 28, is a tough, highly-rated prop who has switched from town rivals Glasson Rangers where he has been a leading player for a number of years.
Glasson are also in BARLA Cumbria Cup preliminary round action when they make the short trip across town to take-on Maryport. They only met ten days ago in the League when Glasson emerged 44-22 winners.
Aspatria Hornets entertain Wath Brow A but the tie between Lowca and Cockermouth Titans has been put back because of a shortage of referees and will now be played on Friday, April 29.
The lack of referees has also caused the postponement of one of the three ties in the BARLA County Shield – Millom A v Ellenborough A which will be played at a later date.
The three Shield ties going ahead are – Egremont A v Hensingham A; Seaton A v Cockermouth A and Barrow Island A v Kells A.
