Carlisle are facing up to life in Counties 1 Cumbria following their relegation and will start the new season on September 2 with a home game against Penrith seconds.
The Warwick Road side will start strong favourites to regain their place in Regional 2 North as the two strongest sides in the Cumbria League last season – Upper Eden and Cockermouth were subsequently promoted.
A reviving Wigton and Egremont, who started last season well, are likely to be their main rivals in the chase for top spot.
It’s a big season, too, for the Keswick club as their seconds are also competing for the first time in the National pyramid after their first team retained their place in the League above.
Aspatria Eagles are in a similar position as the Black Reds’ second string are also involved in pyramid rugby for the first time.
They and Whitehaven complete the 14 club set-up but are not playing on the first week. Aspatria 2nds start the following week, September 9, at home to Creighton while Whitehaven visit Windermere.
Unlike last season when, after the first round of matches when clubs played each other once, the League was split into two Conferences who played home and away, the League this time will be a full home and away programme..
The opening games on September 2 are: Carlisle v Penrith 2nds; Creighton v Wigton; Egremont v Windermere; Millom v Hawcoat Park; St. Benedict’s v Keswick 2nds; Workington v Silloth.
