Two former Workington Town team-mates square up tomorrow as new head coaches in the National Conference Third Division.
Both Neil Frazer (Seaton Rangers) and Kris Coward (Hensingham) are in their first season in charge and both are keen to revive the fortunes of their respective clubs.
They were team-mates for four or five seasons at Town before Frazer stepped up to a coaching role.
The two clubs struggled last season towards the foot of the Third Division but under their new coaches have made an encouraging start to the campaign.
Hensingham, narrowly beaten 6-0 by Distington in a mud-bath on opening day, followed-up with a superb win at Bentley, taking on the role of party-poopers as the Yorkshire club officially opened their new clubhouse.
Seaton didn’t play the first week but put up a gritty performance in defeat last week at title favourites East Leeds.
Both coaches have told Cumbria Crack how they have been encouraged by how their players have adapted and responded to their input since they took over.
Frazer, a former Seaton amateur, said: “I only came in three weeks ago and they seem a good group of lads who have responded well to what I am asking of them.
“Really tough start last week but I was proud of them but we defended really well and actually finished the game the stronger side.
“I’m hearing nothing but good things coming out of Hensingham since Kris, a good mate, took over so we expect a tough game. He will have them fired up.
“We have two lads coming back from bad knee injuries Jordan O’Leary and Ryan Heron who will be ready to play soon. Liam Williamson, is a talented hooker and he is back this season while we have Harry Kemp, who played a bit in the Army, in the squad.
“Otherwise it’s a squad I’ve inherited although we also have some talented young players at Under-16 level who I am looking forward to working with and developing.”
Coward played most of his youth and open age rugby for Hensingham before signing professional for Town. A short spell at Whitehaven was followed by a well-earned retirement.
“I had a couple of years out but then got a call asking to get involved again and it’s been great.
“We have a coaching team, working alongside Chris Crowe who has been involved with our successful youth sides and Jessie Joe Parker, who had been coaching for two years but has other commitments as well at the moment.
“Developing our Under-16s who won the North West Counties last year is going to be a big part of what we are trying to do.
“We had a meeting with the players ahead of the season in which we set out what we expect from them and they have really bought into what we are trying to do.
“The Distington game could have gone either way and then we did really well at Bentley, it was a brilliant result. They are a big side and the plan was to move the ball around and we did that well. I even think we left some points out on the pitch.
“If we get our consistency right I am sure we will do all right. Looking forward to another local derby,” said Coward.
Distington are joint leaders of Division Three with East Leeds after two opening wins but are without a few key players for their trip to Drighlington.
Coach Aiden Worthington said: “Work commitments and unavailabilities have affected selection for this one so we will be including five or six younger players for this one.
“But I am still confident and looking forward to the test. It is what it is and there will be times when we will have to bring in the younger players, but they are a good bunch.”
Drighlington had a good 39-18 home in over Leigh East last Saturday in what was their first game of the season.
Up in the Premier Division there’s a second successive west Cumbrian derby for Egremont as they welcome Wath Brow Hornets to Gillfoot,
Egremont lost 24-8 at Kells last week and coach Rhys Davies is looking for a response from his squad.
He said: “I asked for a reaction this week at training and certainly got it. The lads know last week’s performance wasn’t good enough so we’ve worked on a few things this week and I’m expecting a much better showing in another massive derby.
“We had an opposed session against Whitehaven on Wednesday night which was beneficial for both teams so I am looking forward to the game on Saturday.”
If Davies is looking for a reaction so too will opposite number Ian Rooney as the Hornets were beaten 30-20 at Thatto Heath Crusaders last week.
Kells are on the road to York Acorn, reckoned to be one of the most improved sides in the Premier Division.
But coach Peter Smith is hoping last week’s tough Challenge Cup-tie at Halifax, which they lost 62-6 will have taken a good bit out of Acorn.
“We have had to make a couple of changes from last week with two lads having picked-up knocks. I reckon Acorn will be a bit sore from playing a professional side, and maybe a bit tired from the effort, and hopefully that will help us,” he said.
Cumbria also have three teams in Division Two who are all on the road tomorrow – two of them with games against the early pacemakers.
Ellenborough Rangers, beaten 36-24 at Saddleworth last week travel to leaders Shawcross Sharks who have two wins so far while Barrow Island visit Dewsbury Celtic, joint second with a win and a draw so far.
Millom will fancy their chances as they travel to Myton Warriors, one of just two teams who have lost both their opening games.
