Another big game in the Cumberland ARL calendar has been postponed because a team can’t find enough players.
The rule introduced this season for cup semi-finals and finals that players must have appeared at least four times for the team prior to the ties has again proved a stumbling block.
Wath Brow Hornets insist they have enough players in the club to contest the Top Four semi-final with Seaton, but not enough who pass the criteria of four matches for the A team.
It should be stressed that this was not a rule brought in by the management committee.
The clubs voted unanimously at the pre-season AGM to introduce it this season, and Wath Brow were there to vote in favour.
The league management committee is there to uphold the rules rather than formulate them.
The interim management, which stepped in halfway through the season, have recognised it is an issue which needs addressing and will be putting forward a number of proposals for clubs to consider before the start of season 2026.
Competition rules cannot be amended mid-season so clubs have to abide by the rules until the AGM, but ultimately this will go to the vote by member clubs and the decision will rest sorely on their shoulders.
This particular rule has caused several big games to be cancelled, including both Cumberland Cup semi-finals.
Maryport v Lowca at the Athletic Ground will be the only semi-final played on Saturday – with Seaton Rangers waiting to contest the final.
If Maryport get the better of Lowca then it will set up an amateur RL trilogy.
Mark Foster’s men have already beaten Seaton in the first leg, the CARL Premier Division championship play-off, and are due to meet in the Cumberland Cup final.
Lowca coach Lee Allen will be hoping to prevent this when he sends his young team into action at the Athletic Ground.
But the amateur rugby league programme opens tonight with the First Division Top Four final.
Kells A host Hensingham A, and once again this competition was affected by the four match rule as Egremont A had to concede their semi-final with Hensingham A.
Kells A topped the League with maximum points until they had problems fielding a team for their final two games.
They beat Aspatria in last week’s semi-final but the clash with Hensingham A, their traditional local rivals, is expected to be very close and a good watch.
