The Cumbria Men’s League Cup Finals Day was held at The Ortus Recreation Ground, the home of Whitehaven Rugby League, on Saturday 15th August, with 6 teams vying for the first pieces of silverware up for grabs this season.
Opening the event, Maryport A faced off against Hensingham A in what was a tight affair in the first half. With Maryport A 12-6 to the good at the half-time break, it was a storming second half performance by Hensingham A that saw them score 26 unanswered points to take the win.
Next up was a cross-county battle between Roose Pioneers and Kells A. The Barrow based side found life tough in this fixture and it was the youthful Kells A who were in control for the majority of the game, ending 38-10 victors.
Bringing the day to a close, Wath Brow Hornets A faced Lowca in the CML Cup. Both sides were pushing for victory, but the team from Cleator Moor pulled away late in the game to win 28-18 to claim victory.
Having completed the first major event of the season, our attention now turns to the Play Offs as we enter the final round of the regular season.
In the CML Premier Division, Askam and Wath Brow Hornets A continue to vie for top spot, with Wath Brow Hornets A 2 points adrift, but with a game in hand. Lowca, Cockermouth Titans, and Roose Pioneers are fighting amongst themselves for third and fourth place, with an away game versus one of the top two the reward.
Meanwhile, in Division 1, Aspatria Hornets have secured the League Leaders shield, their first Open Age trophy since 1983/84 and a period of 42 years. Egremont Rangers A, Dalton A, and Glasson Rangers, are the other three teams to qualify for the Play Offs, but with only two points between second and fourth, each team is hoping for home advantage in the Semi Finals.
The Grand Finals will be held at Lowca on Saturday 26th September, as both divisions come to a dramatic conclusion.
