Cockermouth will be without their captain for the rest of the Regional 2 North season.
James Hunter, a key player in the Wasps pack, has been carrying a wrist injury for some time and has now a date for surgery.
First team coach Chris Wright said: “I would like to thank Jim for all his hard work as first team captain. It’s been a pleasure to watch him develop as a player and a eader since 2013.
“Managing to control that red head temper into a very effective captain he has been a pleasure to work with.
“It’s a real shame this season hasn’t worked out as we hoped but that’s sport and we keep going strong.”
Ant Davies will take over as first team captain for the rest of the season with Hunter sharing the role of club captain with Tom Peet.
Davies is an adopted Cumbrian who has made a big impact on the squad and will be leading the drive for a big finish to the League campaign and another good showing in the Papa John’s Cup.
Hunter’s final game before his operation ended in a 28-0 home defeat to Stockton – another game where the team picked-up plaudits for their performance but not for a win.
The Wasps were up against a very good Stockton defence, who contested every breakdown and regrouped instantly the home side broke their line.
The game was good to watch, though, especially the honest physicality from both sides.
Cockermouth’s 110% defensive effort could not be faulted and it was unfortunate they gifted a try in each half to put the visitors out of sight.
But there were positives for Cockermouth with solid debuts from Lewis Bancroft and Logan Scales who have progressed from the cub’s excellent Colts set-up led by Stephen Reed.
Coach Wright said: “There were some excellent individual performances across the park. Jonathan Astley had an excellent game and is developing well at second row.
“The impact and work rate of senior players James Robinson, Ian McDowell, Ryan Hetherington and Ant Davies is fantastic and leaves a great benchmark for young, aspiring players.
“Our offload game was very good and we made the line breaks to have created enough tries to stay in the game. Our last play support, unfortunately, wasn’t quite there.
“But big wraps to our forwards, who since the Aspatria game, have made great scrum improvements.”
