By Martin Morgan

Last updated 11:33, Friday, 25 April 2008

JOINT boss Gary Charlton is confident he can end his four-season hoodoo and help lead Cumbria to the BARLA County Championship on Sunday.

Cumbria are in pole position and a draw against Lancashire at Oldham St Annes on Sunday (2.45pm), would be enough to hand them the title after defeating Yorkshire 9-4 last month.

Lancashire were beaten 12-10 by Yorkshire last week but could still pip Cumbria if they win by at least eight points this weekend.

“I’ve been in four of the last five championships, and I think we’ve lost every one on points difference,” said Charlton, who is running the team alongside Martin Oglanby.

“This is the best squad we’ve had for a few years, and we won’t be resting on our laurels.

“It’s about time we won it. We’ve been so close before, it’s annoying.

“We played well in patches against Yorkshire and created enough chances to win by a couple more tries. Against Lancashire we have to take those chances.

“Their back line is pretty good and they could cause us bother if our forwards don’t stop theirs. But I think we will match them up front.”

New centres John Patrick, from Cockermouth, and Hensingham’s Kyle Amor, have both impressed.

“Our back-line is very fast and strong, and there’s plenty of ability in there,” he added. “All the lads have bonded well, and win, lose or draw, I’m sure we’ll have a beer afterwards.”

There are no Cumberland League fixtures tomorrow, due to the county championship game.

Wath Brow kept themselves in the hunt for promotion to the Conference Premier Division with a hard-fought 15-10 win over second-placed York Acorn at Copeland Stadium on Wednesday night.

And they should face an easier task at home tomorrow to relegated East Leeds, who have won only three of their 23 league fixtures.

The Hornets lie in sixth place in Division One, with three going up, but they are level on points with Bradford Dudley Hill, currently in third, and have two games in hand.