The postcode challenge ended all square as Cumbria’s enthusiastic Rugby League Masters met at Arlecdon.
Although all Masters games end 0-0 to meet the mindset, this one did actually produce a try each in what was described as a thoroughly enjoyable contest.
John Shanks was awarded the man of the match award for the CA side while Mike Oldcorn took the accolade for the LA squad.
There was a particularly warm welcome for Barry Sharrock, now 74 and a former Cumberland ARL referee, who had travelled over from his base near Carlisle to play. He goes over to the north-east for his regular mix of Masters rugby league.
Arlecdon and Carlisle players made-up the CA squad with Barrow and Hindpool teams making up the LA representation.
The Arlecdon team have a game in St. Helens on Saturday when they will be playing the Hares Finch club’s Masters side.
Then on August 6 they will be heading for the Crosfields club in Warrington who are staging a Masters Festival. Hindpool and Barrow will also be represented as well as the newest team in Cumbria from Maryport.
They made their bow on Friday night when they played Arlecdon and although officially another 0-0 the Rams did sneak it 2-1.
Maryport had 23 players on the night, three of whom were playing Masters RL for the first time and acquitted themselves well.
They would like to squeeze in another fixture before they travel to Crosfields as several are just not completely up to speed with the various requirements in a game of Masters.
Carlisle, at the moment, have six players committed for the Crosfields Festival but if they can’t get a full team will still travel to augment any of the other Cumbrian sides.
