To try and do away with conceded games the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL should consider introducing a loan system.
There have been cases already this season of clubs not being able to field enough players to make-up a team.
The most unfortunate case came last week when Glasson had to concede their Firpress Cumberland Cup-tie against Distington A.
With the smallest squad in the League the Glasson club had two concussion cases, other injuries, a couple on holiday and two more with work commitments.
Other clubs were spare on the day, and even those who had games on Saturday would have lads kicking their heels not included in the match day squad.
National Conference League clubs have a new option this season to take players on dual registration from professional clubs. Millom have already taken two from Barrow.
So why not introduce a loan scheme in CARL? Clubs who are going to be short could take players on loan for a fortnight (or longer if agreed) from rivals in the League.
Fixtures would be completed and out-of-favour players would get valuable game time.
This week’s fixture list for the Cumberland ARL should have featured the E. B. Lamb Amateur Cup quarter finals – three due to be played tonight and one on Saturday.
But the west Cumbrian weather, which has affected several sports, has struck rugby league as well.
Called-off early was the Hensingham A v Glasson Rangers tie with the pitch badly affected by the prolonged rain.
Glasson were ready to play after having to concede last week’s Firpress Cumberland Cup game and Hensingham were looking to field a strong A team.
Also called-off early was the tasty-looking tie between Kells A and Lowca.
Kells coach Jonathan Wignall said: “Even the Pit field succumbed to the awful
Conditions and we had to cancel Wednesday’s Under-18’s fixture.
“The forecast is clearly horrendous so it’s not going to improve planned to the Friday night kick-off unfortunately.”
No doubt about the tie of the round, tha would have been a re-match tonight between runners-up Wath Brow A and their visitors, last season’s winners Maryport.
Both have started ominously well, each topping fifty points last week in League victories but the clash was called-off last night because of the state of the Hornets pitch.
They were to play on the bottom pitch at Wath Brow, leaving the main top one for tomorrow’s National Conference League derby with Kells, which will be the subject of an inspection later today.
So that only leaves Aspatria Hornets v Cockermouth Titans being staged tomorrow.
Aspatria’s Mark Ridley said: “We know that the other games in the competition have been called off early but we are confident of playing tomorrow, albeit at our second home Silloth rugby union club.
“We have had some good tussles with Cockermouth over the years and we are looking forward to meeting up again.
“As it’s the Amateur Cup our ex-pro James Robinson isn’t eligible and a couple of players miss out through injury/work commitments.
“It gives the opportunity for Kevin Robinson to join the starting line-up and Dale Thomason will play his first game for the Hornets.”
Cockermouth coach Liam McAvoy added: “We have had good numbers at training this week and the lads have put in two good sessions.
“I am looking forward now to seeing how they can back that up on the field against Aspatria.
“One of our top players, Cameron Harrison is back tomorrow and he’s a local Aspatria lad who is looking forward to playing against his hometown club. I’m really pleased to have him back.”
