Another club has dropped out of the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland Amateur Rugby League.
Glasson Rangers have informed the League secretary Ken Millican that they will be unable to fulfil any further fixtures.
They follow Aspatria and Cockermouth A in pulling out of the League, and there are concerns others might follow.
Cockermouth were unable to get a team to play Wath Brow A in mid-week and are due to play Maryport on Saturday.
The other side of the coin concerns the teams who are able to play but are left kicking their heels when the scheduled opposition cries off.
A Wath Brow contact told the Cumbria Crack: “Lads take shifts off, or get swaps in order to play, and then find there is no game because the opposition can’t raise enough players.
“They are getting fed-up with little or no game time for them. They cancel other things to play and then games are called-off at the last minute.”
In Glasson’s case it appears team strength has been affected by the re-emergence of Silloth rugby union club who start their season very shortly and they have six or seven dual-code players.
League secretary Ken Millican said: “Glasson have withdrawn from the league but are hoping to start up again next season.
“That is now three clubs this season that have pulled out – Cockermouth A, Aspatria and Glasson .
“The RFL sent out a questionnaire about why the number of players was down and asked for the clubs and players to give their views on the matter. This was sent to all
clubs on the 3rd August by Kelly Barrett and I hope everyone responds.
“There are clubs who have signed players on and some have never played or never been to the club.
“This is just part of the problem and there is a lot more to look at.”
Fixtures still on this week-end: Friday – Cumberland Cup semi-final: Ellenborough A v Seaton A. Division One: Hensingham A v Egremont A.
Saturday – Premier Division: Maryport v Cockermouth.
