Cumbrian clubs in the National Conference largely continue to struggle in their respective divisions.
Only Hensingham, of the eight playing at this level, currently figure in the top half of the table.
They do occupy one of the play-off positions with four games to play, but lost their county derby on Saturday.
They went down 22-16 at Barrow Island, although it was only a late surge that got them as close.
Kris Coward’s men had turned round 12-6 down and entering the final quarter the gap had grown to 22-6.
They hit back with tries by Fletcher Holgate and Matt Williams, with one converted by Adam Williamson.
Luke Charlton had scored the first-half try which Williamson improved.
The home side also scored three tries but crucially Ellis Archer kicked five goals.
Fin Dutton-Rosconie, Carl McBain and Ollie Holmes scored those tries for the Islanders who are now four points behind Hensingham with a game in hand.
Also in Division Two it looks like relegation unfortunately for Ellenborough Rangers.
Even if they won their last four games they can only match the current points total of fourth bottom Skirlaugh who have a much superior points differential.
But Elbra put up a good performance in defeat, losing 23-18 at home to Normanton Knights.
It was 12-6 to the visitors at half-time but in a tight second-half, without ever being in front, Ellenborough closed the gap to 19-18.
Hopes of snatching a last gasp win were ended by the visitors scoring their fourth try with seconds to go.
Ryan Wilson, Brett Stevenson and Niall Gray scored the Elbra points with Stevenson converting all three.
In the top flight Premier Division Cumbria’s only representatives Wath Brow are closer to the relegation zone than they will have been for some time.
The Hornets will have enough about them to ease any distant concerns as they are four points in front of Lock Lane who hold the final relegation place.
They weren’t fancied to get anything from the long trek to West Hull and so it proved, going down 34-6 to the Humberside team.
It was 16-0 at half-time and although Karl Dixon crossed early in the second half and Sam Curwen converted it did not spark a rally.
West Hull pulled away from that point and finished with six tries, five of which were converted.
Apart from Barrow Island, who won the Cumbrian derby with Hensingham, the only county side to win at the week-end was Egremont Rangers in Division One.
They beat Oldham St. Anne’s 30-10 at Gillfoot to move just a point behind their visitors.
Pat Wells had been sinbinned when St Anne’s took a 6-0 lead but when the visitors also suffered a yellow card Egremont prospered.
Wells, Sam Appleby and Lachlan McDonnell all crossed for tries which Matt Bewsher converted for an 18-6 lead by early in the second-half.
In a big finish, too, there were further tries for Brad Long and James Messenger, both converted by Bewsher.
Kells were beaten 22-4 at second-in-the-table Heworth and slipped to fourth bottom.
They are six points clear of the drop zone and should be capable of avoiding a second successive relegation.
Harry Watson had actually given Kells the lead but by half-time Heworth were in front 10-4.
The York side added two converted tries in the second-half as Kells slipped to their third successive defeat.
In Division Three Millom drew 18-18 at the bottom side Beverley which condemned their hosts to having to seek re-election.
In fact it took a last minute penalty to earn Beverley the point from a draw.
Millom, who led 12-6 at the break, scored tries through Tom Askew, Brad Crellin and Jonty Peters, with the latter kicking three goals.
It’s been a disappointing second season for Distington after they just missed out on promotion in their debut year.
They currently lie seventh in the table and at the week-end were on the receiving end of a 72-4 defeat at Keighley Albion.
A Deaton Askew try was all they could manage, trailing 36-4 at the break.
