Lowca missed out on Challenge Cup glory at the weekend – but are gearing up for a big season in the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL.
Coach Lee Allen hopes to have his young squad fine-tuned for the start of the League season on March 16 and has pencilled in two warm-up games.
The villagers will play Hensingham on February 3 and follow up a fortnight later against their neighbours Distington, who have moved up to the National Conference.
“I thought the season was going to start on March 2, so that’s why the friendly games were fixed where they are. I’m not sure whether to find another game for us because I don’t want any injuries for the start of the season.
“To be honest I did think we would get another game at Lock Lane in the second round of the Challenge Cup but it didn’t quite work out. I was very proud of the effort the lads put in against a strong Edinburgh Eagles side when we led for a great part of the game.
“They were a decent bunch who socialised well afterwards and we wished them all the best in the next round,” said Lee.
Lowca, who made the top four play-offs in the CARL last season also had two of the prominent performers in Emerson Allen (player of the year) and Mitchell Todd (top try scorer).
“Emerson is my own lad and although he’s played in a variety of positions over the years, at wing and centre, he played the majority of games at loose forward last season,” said Lee.
The 25-year-old Emerson picked-up eight man of the match nominations to take the award and scored 13 tries from 16 appearances.
At 20 years of age his coach reckons Todd is one of the best centres in the League, who has had interest from other clubs in the area.
“Last season he was invited down to Workington Town for pre-season training and although he didn’t get a game I think he had done well.
“He is a strong-running centre who certainly knows where the try-line is and that was reflected in the 32 tries he scored in just 20 games. I think he has terrific potential,” said Lee.
The Lowca coach knows he has a number of talented youngsters, but one of the key players in the squad is 40-year-old Keith Campbell, a club stalwart for most of his playing career.
“Keith helps steer us around and provide the experience at stand-off which a team of youngsters do need,” says Lee.
With champions Distington now playing their senior rugby in the National Conference, the Lowca coach believes this year’s title battle will be keen, close and exciting.
“I just want us to be involved in it and can’t wait for it to start,” he says.
