Top match in the Cumbria League’s Premier Division tomorrow pairs Furness and Cockermouth in south Cumbria.
Two of the leading sides in the League for a number of years the pair are both looking to have their names on the Championship trophy this time round.
Furness have started impressively, although it hasn’t gone according to plan for Cockermouth who appear to have already been handed a large slice of bad luck.
First they had the episode of the wrong weed-killer on the square which threatened to disrupt the start of their season at Sandair.
That hasn’t proved as bad as was first feared but two of their three opening fixtures have been rained off – including last Saturday when their game at home to Keswick was the only one in the county affected by rain and had to be abandoned.
In between the two postponements Cockermouth lost to Whitehaven so they travel to one of their main rivals still seeking that first win.
Furness, on the other hand, have started positively with two wins after their first day rain-off and look as though they will be one of the main challengers for Carlisle’s crown.
Delighted to have Mark Daly back in the firing line after a season out, Furness do have county batsman Nathan Waterston on the injured list after suffering two broken ribs in a fielding accident.
The champions Carlisle have started well again and are back at Edenside tomorrow when they entertain Cleator. They had the biggest score last week-end, topping 300 at Egremont before going on to co0mplete a comfortable win.
The west Cumbrians actually share second place with Carlisle and Furness on 124 points with two wins in their locker after an opening day defeat to Workington.
That victory on a rain-affected first day gave Workington a start nobody else had and they have followed up well with victories over Millom and Wigton to sit proudly at the top of the table.
Tomorrow it’s the West Cumbrian derby as they entertain Whitehaven who were disappointed by their performance in a heavy defeat against Furness last week.
That was in contrast to their good show against Cockermouth which had brought them their first victory of the season.
As well as Cockermouth, four other teams are still looking for their first win of the season and that should change given a fine day as they actually meet up in Keswick v Egremont and Haverigg v Wigton.
Keswick probably didn’t expect to be in this situation but have suffered a rain-off and then an abandonment on Saturday when they looked to be struggling at Cockermouth. In between they had lost at Carlisle.
Egremont battled well to retain their Premier Division status last season after a hard fought promotion and looks as though they will have to show the same spirit this time after being beaten by Lindal Moor they would have targeted for an early win.
Lindal Moor are at home to Millom who got off the mark last week in their derby clash with Haverigg. Millom have recruited Australian Bryce Street for the second successive week as stand-in professional.
