The RFU’s eagerly-awaited changes to the League structures throughout the country have produced winners and losers in Cumbria.
Kendal and Aspatria are among the winners, while Upper Eden and Cockermouth can be included in the list of losers.
A third-placed finish by Kendal in North One West ensured they will be inaugural members of Regional One North West, where they will join Kirkby Lonsdale.
Aspatria, who finished fifth in the Durham and Northumberland First Division will now take their place in Regional Two North West.
They will enjoy Cumbrian derby games, too, as Carlisle, Keswick and Penrith are also grouped into the same League.
Unfortunately Cockermouth and St. Benedict’s miss-out as members of last season’s North Two West they now find themselves in Counties One Cumbria.
But perhaps most sympathy is felt for Upper Eden, champions of the Cumbria League with a 100 per cent record, the second time in a row they have topped the table.
They are facing another season playing their rugby within the county.
The RFU say: “A flattening of the pyramid, increasing the number of leagues at each level,will help meet the needs of players by reducing travel for matches, helping club sustainability by reducing travel costs.
“The geographical grouping will bring back local derbie, and in some cases introduce more, which will attract more attention to games.
“All leagues have been grouped geographically. Whilst there will still be some outliers, overall there will be reduced travel time and distances across the whole structure.
“The 2022/23 season will also deliver a shortened league season, addressing concerns shared by players around the intensity of the current league structure.
“Regional 1, formerly level 5, and below will see the introduction of a new National cup competition at the end of the season with optional entry to the different tiers dependent on closing league position.
“This format is designed to remove the conflict of league and cup fixtures within the season, to maintain a variety of competition offering and to provide an exciting finale to the community rugby season, with finals days at leading rugby venues.”
Regional One North West
Blackburn, Burnage, Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lymm, Macclesfield, Manchester, Nantwich, Rossendale, Sandbach, Stockport, Wirral.
Regional Two North West
Aspatria, Carlisle, Consett, Durham City, Keswick, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Northern, Penrith, Percy Park, South Shields Westoe, Stockton.
Counties One Cumbria
Cockermouth, Creighton, Egremont, Furness, Hawcoat Park, Millom, Penrith 2nds, Silloth, St. Benedict’s, Upper Eden, Whitehaven, Wigton, Workington.
