Whitehaven at full strength for Plate semi-final
Last updated 11:46, Wednesday, 30 April 2008
BOTH semi-finals in the Cumbria Plate are being played tonight in the west of the county.
At Maryport, Cumbria League runners-up Netherhall will entertain Creighton while at the Playground it’s Whitehaven against Millom.
It’s a big week for south Cumbrians Millom who are due to play at Upper Eden on Saturday in the final of the Westmorland and Furness County Challenge Cup, a competition which has been revived after a break of four years.
Whitehaven hope to be at full strength but Millom will be without promising young forward Adam Redhead, who has bronchitis as well as top try-scorer Ricky Kershaw who has an injury problem.
Cumbria are preparing for their opening County championship game on Saturday at Kendal’s Mint Bridge against Northumberland.
Cumbria trained at Penrith on Monday and have another session at Kendal tonight in preparation for the visit of Northumberland.
Originally they had a squad of 30 players from which to select but whilst having plenty of forwards they are a bit short of backs because of injuries and unavailability
At the start of the preparations Cumbria were hoping for a strong representation from Kendal, Penrith, Aspatria and Carlisle, but things have changed for one reason or another.
However, players are coming from Hull, Morley and West Park St Helens.
If, as expected, Northumberland draw heavily from Tynedale and Blaydon, then the Cumbrians will face a big step up in the calibre of player they are accustomed to facing. But if they have any ambitions to play at a higher level, games like this give them the chance to test themselves and see at first hand the levels they have to reach.
Not for the first time, Cumbrian Tom Borthwick faces his native county with Northumberland looking for an away win.
The Tynedale coach has the benefit of having 10 players from his promoted club side in the County side and with Blaydon, Morpeth and Darlington Mowden Park also contributing, Borthwick should be dealing from a strong hand.
Nor is enthusiasm for the county side restricted to ‘local’ talent.
Launceston’s Hamish Smales has made himself available, as has London Scottish lock Graeme Smith, who comes into the squad with the unavailability of Tim Swinson, who is needed by Newcastle Falcons.
