None of Cumbria’s nine National Conference sides are engaged in a much-reduced programme tomorrow.
It means for amateur RL enthusiasts in the county the spotlight falls on the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland League with three games over the weekend.
Getting things underway tonight is the game between Ellenborough A and Egremont A – two sides who have struggled for players recently but are helped this time through no first team fixtures tomorrow.
Kevin Brown, of Egremont, said: “It will be great to get out on the field again after two weeks without a game. We had to call off last week because we had players on holiday, at work or having other commitments. Also five of them had been called-up to the first team.
“We always find it tough going to Ellenborough and that won’t be any different this time. They will be a young, improving side and all I’m looking for is an improved show from last time we played and we can take some momentum into the second-half of the season.”
Cockermouth have done well and are currently joint top with Wath Brow, but have played one game more so that will become two more after they play Flimby tomorrow – although it would put them clear top.
Coach Liam McAvoy said: “I’m really looking forward to it after last week’s good win against Maryport and we have numbers again which is a headache for me, but one a coach likes. We have actually agreed with Flimby to use 19 players this week, which is good as it gives more game time to squad members.
“I have Ryan Scott coming back this week which is a big bonus but there are a couple of very good players in the Flimby team who we will have to keep an eye on.”
Flimby’s Ricky Morrison said: “We know we are in for a hard game against the Titans, especially with them chasing Wath Brow.
“We have a lot of lads at a festival but we have a couple of young lads ready to make their debuts at open age.
“Hopefully Cody Petrie can keep up the kind of performances for us that he has put in the last two games. It’s also good to have %Rhys Booty back in the squad and hopefully he will make an impact.”
The other game tomorrow sees Distington A host Askam and first team coach Aiden Worthington will be watching closely.
“It’s mainly going to be a team of young players who are really keen and will enjoy the experience against what we have been told will be a big, physical Askam team. I will be giving them two first teamers who need minutes, but one of them is a forward who will start on the bench,” he said.
Askam coach Chris Broadley said: “It will be a challenge against a young enthusiastic Distington side but we are going up there full of confidence and we are looking for the two points to take us into the second phase of the programme.”
“Unfortunately we’ve lost our hooker Luke McIntee with a shoulder injury while Rob Cockayne comes into the front row. It will mean a reshuffle with lads playing out of position but I’m still very hopeful.”
Table: Wath Brow played 9, points 16; Cockermouth 10, 16; Maryport 10, 14; Lowca 9, 14; Kells A 8, 12; Hensingham A 8, 6; Aspatria 9, 5; Askam 8, 5; Distington A 7, 3; Ellenborough A 7, 2; Egremont A 9, 2; Flimby 10, 1.
