Penrith will have to shell out £850 on Saturday that they hadn’t budgeted for because of a repeat trip to the Wirral.
Their match last week against Anselmians was called off after the Cumbrian squad had travelled – only to find the pitch declared unplayable.
As one of the travelling party commented: “It was like a farmer’s field where a load of bullocks had been standing at a water trough.”
All of which made it unfathomable after they had been asked to travel after a 10am inspection, called because there was a risk of the pitch being waterlogged.
It should have been a free week for League clubs, and no doubt some players will already have made alternative arrangements affecting the strength of the team.
The hastily rearranged fixture means Penrith will be the only senior Cumbrian side involved in League action – Leek v Stockport are also playing in Regional 2 North West.
A talking point in Regional 2 North this week has been the latest release from the RFU suggesting that only one team will be relegated from that League.
It’s based on a results percentage over the season and so far, with three games left only Cockermouth will be relegated. Stockton, who lie second bottom, two points behind Keswick and with the same win, draw, lose record, would be safe.
But as one seasoned rugby union official in Cumbria said: “I will wait until after the last match because the RFU have changed their minds before!”
If the latest indication is seen through then only Carlisle would be promoted from Counties 1 Cumbria as they will go up as clear champions.
Because of the lack of League rugby it’s a relatively quiet Saturday for rugby union in the county and there are several disappointed left kicking their heels.
There are only three games on Saturday with 12 referees available and four games on Sunday with nine available which is very disappointing.
The three Saturday games are: Cumbria/Border League Cup – Carlisle Under-18s v Hawick Wanderers (Martin Maughan); NOWIRUL Division One – Kendal 2nds v Manchester 2nds (Archie Harding) and CANDY League Div 2 South – Upper Eden 2nds v Hartlepool 2nds (Simon Barker).
On Sunday – Women’s Championship North 2 – Kendal Ladies v Birkenhead Park Ladies (Jonny Watson); Halbro Junior Colts Plate – Millom U-17s v Kirkby Lonsdale U-17s (Alistair Jones); Cumbria Ladies Friendly – Penrith U-16s v Keswick U-16s (Craig Hine) and Cumbria Youth – Keswick U-15s v Wigton U-16s (Mike Pate).
