The EB Lamb and Son Amateur Cup semi-finals dominate the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland ARL scene this weekend.
Both will be played tonight, leaving tomorrow free for those going to, or just wanting to watch the RL Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
Local rivals Hensingham A and Kells A clash in what is a traditionally hotly-contested game whenever the two clubs get together.
Host club Hensingham’s coach Chris Crowe said: “We are missing players tonight due to a festival so we have lads filling in positions they don’t normally play in.
“But we have a really strong squad, which we will need against one of the strongest and most consistent sides in the Division.
“Kells have competed this season in the last few weeks with all the top sides and tonight should hopefully be another tight game.
“Over the last two or three years there’s been nothing between the sides in league games.”
His opposite number Jonathan Wignall said: “A semi-final against our local rivals is always a big game and this is no different.
“It’s unfortunate that we play at the same time as our first team play Egremont but we wish them all the best.
“We’ve suffered yet more injuries as a squad this week, especially to big Jack Ainley who we wish well having sliced his spleen in the game against Siddal.
“He was unaware until the following day when he was rushed to hospital.
“Again this will give opportunities to those in the A team who have been champing at the bit.
“We are excited as a team for the semi-final tonight and have more new faces who can hopefully slot in seamlessly alongside the core group.
“Training has been tough this week and competition for places has been high across both squads.
“Hensingham have an excellent young squad so no doubt they will be tough opposition.”
Wath Brow A, beaten finalists last year, entertain Aspatria in the other semi-final.
The Hornets coach Paul Farrell said: “We have trained and prepared well, and are hoping to get through to the first final of the season.
“The lads have been buzzing and we will certainly be concentrating on our own game and ready to play what’s put in front of us.
“We have a strong squad able to cope with the fact that there are a couple of lads away at festivals, but Devan Sharp has had a knock and is being left out as a precaution.
“Peter Caddy will come in and Greg Rooney will move into the halves. Otherwise it’s pretty much an unchanged squad.”
Aspatria chairman Mark Ridley said: “We are delighted to be in a semi-final in our first year back and looking forward to playing one of the strongest teams in the League.
“It will be tough but we have been strengthened in the pack through the return of Stuart Creighton and our top try scorer Mark Irwin.
“We also welcome back one of our old boys, Greg Wrathall who has been playing for Glasson over the last few years.”
