The Cumbria County Cup final will be played this season after all!
Holders Penrith and Carlisle will meet in the final on April 20 at either Wigton or Aspatria.
Originally Carlisle had conceded after being unable to contest the original date because most of the first team players were out of the country on a stag week-end.
The County RFU saw an opportunity to fit in the final, if both sides were willing, when Penrith had all three Papa John group games called off when the opposition withdrew from the competition.
Those original commitments to the competition was one of the reasons why no other dates were suggested for the county final.
Brian Mitchelhill, the competitions committee chairman said that both clubs were approached and they readily agreed.
Mike Sanderson, for Penrith, said: “There’s not much pleasure in winning the Cup by default so the lads will be delighted to be able to have the chance to win it on the pitch.”
For Carlisle, David Morton said: “It’s good for the integrity of the competition that we are going to play the final. We are looking forward to it, especially after a good semi-final win over Aspatria.”
Originally the final had been allocated to Wigton but on April 20 they could have a Papa John’s Cup game themselves.
Having a walk-over when Medicals withdrew from the competition Wigton expect to host Wetherby on April 20.
Wetherby might be keen to make amends after missing out on the Yorkshire 1 title by a point to Bradford Salem on Saturday.
Penrith were expecting to play Cleckheaton this Saturday in their first group game but their opponents have withdrawn from the competition, as had the other two teams in the section – Anselmians and Pontefract.
Carlisle, looking forward to promotion after winning Counties 1 Cumbria, have not played a senior game since March 2 when they beat Aspatria Eagles.
