Egremont have something to build on now as they take the latest step on their National Conference Premier Division journey.
They travel to Thatto Heath Crusaders tomorrow looking to follow-up Saturday’s fine 12-8 win over Wath Brow Hornets.
Coach Rhys Davies said: “I was playing the last time we beat the Brow, back in a 2018 play-off game so last week’s win has been a long time coming.
“Spirits are high for our first trip out of the county this season and we know we are in for another tough game against a well-drilled opposition.
“We will be travelling down with a strong squad and I’m expecting us to build on last week’s performance.”
One thing you can be sure of, Hornets coach Ian Rooney won’t have enjoyed losing to local opposition and will have his troops fired-up for their home game tomorrow.
They won’t show much sympathy for newly promoted West Bowling who have opened with two defeats and are minus 66 on points differential.
It could best be described as a Premier Division banker as Wath Brow get their season back on track.
Kells currently lead the three Cumbrian clubs who are all on two points – and Peter Smith’s men have only played twice.
Smith was disappointed with his side’s performance at York Acorn last week when they lost 28-12.
“They gave us a lesson in controlling the play-the-ball and you would have thought it was us, and not them, who had played a professional side in the Challenge Cup a week earlier,” said Smith.
But they have a tough follow-up with a visit from reigning champions Hunslet ARLFC – a side Smith says are “full of very good players.”
Ellenborough Rangers will be looking to get back to winning ways in Division Two when they entertain bottom side Pilkington Recs, the only side without a point.
Coach Paul Gorge said: “We have actually played well enough in all the games but were punished at Shaw Cross on Saturday through a couple of errors.
“In recent years we seem to have started the season slowly before finding our best form so I’m looking for a step-up against Pilkington.”
All three Cumbrian sides in Division Two have two points from three games, but the two from the south of the county have tougher games than Elbra tomorrow.
They are both at home but face sides who are joint second in the table – Barrow Island to Normanton Knights and Millom to Dewsbury Celtic.
Distington lead the way with a three from three win record in Division Three and are at home to Bentley.
They are something of an unknown quantity this season, not having played a single game.
But Distington go into the fixture with a problem after an impressive 14-6 win last week at Drighlington.
Coach Aiden Worthington said: “We have a flu bug going through the club and up to 14 or 15 players have been affected.
“Some will be playing but we have had to call-off our Cumberland ARL game tonight at Wath Brow.
“I’ve got the bug myself but I hope to shake it off to be on the touchline.”
Last week his first team squad had up to seven regulars missing for the trip to Drighlington.
“I went down there fearing the worst, but I need not have worried because the young lads who came in were superb,” added Worthington.
It’s a real family affair, too, for in the side that earned the points at Drighlington were Aiden’s two cousins and two nephews!
Hensingham are second in the table, two points behind their neighbours, but are without a fixture tomorrow.
Seaton Rangers coach Neil Frazer is looking for a response from his side after their derby defeat at home to Hensingham.
But it won’t be easy against a strong Leigh East side who are expected to be among the title challengers.
“Their coach Martin Roden, an ex-pro at Oldham has them well drilled. They have very mobile middles and a very good full-back Kieran Prescott who is always dangerous with the ball.
“We will be without our hooker Liam Williamson and centre Lewis Mason through injury, but we do have three middles on the bench which will be better.
“Brandon Walker, one of our young lads has a chance to show his potential at hooker and we also have Scott Faulkner, a big forward who has been playing union at the Zebras, making his debut,” said Frazer.
