It’s now official – Penrith have retained the Cumbria Cup without breaking sweat!
County officials have confirmed that because Carlisle declined to play on Saturday or tonight the final will not take place and the trophy awarded to the holders, Penrith.
The bulk of the Carlisle first team squad set-off today for a stag week-end and the club felt it inappropriate to field a patched-up second team in a County senior final.
It leaves a big hole in the county programme this weekend because there are no league matches and county officials were looking for a bumper attendance at the final.
Last year an estimated 1,500 watched Penrith beat local rivals Upper Eden in the final at Kendal.
There are only two games in Cumbria this weekend, both friendlies – an Under-18s clash between Wigton and Carlisle (referee Alastair Jones) and a Penrith XV v Ambleside (referee Martin Maughan).
The climax of the league season is next Saturday with the final matches for our county sides – and then a few Cumbrian teams will embark on their Papa John’s Trophy schedules.
