Maryport went into the history books as the last champions of the Cumberland Amateur Rugby League before wide changes to the community/amateur game.
However they had ended the 2025 season with two defeats by Seaton in the Cumberland Cup and Top Four finals.
So there was much anticipation about the opening game in the new National Conference Cumbria League when the two met at Seaton.
This time it was Maryport who came out of it with the win, coming back from being behind early to win 28-22.
There were a number of team changes for both from when they last met at the Fibrus Community Stadium with youngsters being introduced by the respective coaches Neil Frazer (Seaton) and Mark Foster (Maryport).
It was Seaton who made the best start, racing into a 12-0 lead inside the first five minutes with tries from Ben Postlethwaite and Nick Burgess, both converted by Kieran Robinson.
Maryport came back into it and before-half-time had reduced the arrears with a try from Keenan Winter which was improved by Lewis Moore.
It was young Moore who got Maryport moving in the second half and he was able to create two of the four tries they scored – one of them for himself. Luke Cremins, Luke Baker and Jack Shepherd.
In between times Luke Williamson had scored a third try for Seaton. The teenage back-row forward had to play on the wing when Seaton suffered a loss of two backs and adapted well.
At 28-16 the game was gone for Seaton but they did grab a fourth try from the last play of the game when Byran Coulson got over and Robinson added his third goal. Moore had kicked four out of five for Maryport.
Here’s Maryport’s Mark Foster thoughts on the game below:
And listen to Seaton coach Neil Frazer below:
