The biggest crowd in Cumbrian rugby union on Saturday is likely to be at Cockermouth’s Strawberry How.
The Wasps entertain West Hartlepool in the Papa John’s national competition, easily the highest profile game the club has staged for years.
West Hartlepool will arrive as champions of Counties 1 Durham and Northumberland, having gone through their programme unbeaten.
But Jeff Clare, the Cockermouth head coach is in no way put off by their record.
He said: “We know they are unbeaten and have a big pack and will come to us confident.
“We have watched them play and know that they are beatable. We have selected a strong squad and are unbeaten at home all season, which we intend to continue.
“Mark Watson comes back in at scrum-half and he just gives us a little more going forward. It means Luke Armstrong, who has been fantastic these last few weeks, will start on the bench.
“We have a few ideas on how we can beat them and we will be having a light session on Friday night just to go through one or two things.
“I have to say the town has really got behind us for this game. There have been posters all around the place and we fully expect substantial support at the game.
“Graham Wilson, a local plasterer has been heavily involved in the sponsorship for the game and there’s a lot happening on the day which will be very positive for the club regardless of the result.
“For me, though, the result is the important thing and if we can make progress in this one I think we can be very dangerous in the competition.”
It’s a big day for Wigton too when they entertain Hartlepool in the Papa John’s Plate competition at Lowmoor Road.
The Greens warmed-up for the tie with a good 33-19 win over Millom last Saturday in their final Counties 1 Conference fixture of the season.
Wigton coach David Warwick admits he doesn’t know much about the opposition apart from the fact they finished sixth in Durham/Northumberland 1 League.
Three players are not available – Will Wilson, Josh Nicholson and Stuart Carruthers – but it is more a rotation policy anyways.
Wigton are boosted by the return of Richard Moffat, Dan and Nathan Cousins, and Kieran Armstrong who all missed last week’s game.
Warwick said: “It’s a great opportunity to play different opposition and test ourselves in a national competition. Training has gone very well this week and with the Cup rules only allowing an 18-strong squad competition has been fierce for selection.
“Home advantage could prove pivotal and this young side would appreciate support with the weather looking favourable for running rugby. We hope there’s a big crowd and that most will stay to watch the Grand National on the big screen.”
Creighton travel to Leigh for their Papa John’s Shield tie with a mostly unchanged team led by veteran Matt Liddle.
There are some absentees, including influential forward Alex Taylor due to his first child due any day, while Ben Atkinson and Ben Jordan are out through injuries.
Also skipper Scott Davidson is still missing after breaking his arm in training a few weeks ago
Head coach Richard Liddle said: “The team is in a confident mood following recent success and can’t wait for the challenge to face an out of county team. We have had some brilliant training sessions with the lads working hard for each other.”
Unfortunately Silloth have decided to pull out of their Papa John’s Shield tie at Roundehegians in Leeds. Several players now have rugby league commitments on Friday night and that would put too much strain on their small squad.
Penrith are at the top end of the competition and they are involved in a pool. After a narrow 41-40 defeat at Bowdon they entertain League rivals Morpeth tomorrow and finish off at Moortown next weekend when they will find out whether they qualify for the next stage.
