The 2017 Cumberland Amateur Rugby League season is starting a week sooner for two clubs.

Ellenborough Rangers host Glasson Rangers, a tasty looking derby clash between two Cumbria Men’s League sides.

The BARLA Cumbria Cup tie has been brought forward from March 4 when the official season locally will be launched.

Both sides, thinking ahead to Saturday’s clash, fitted in friendlies last weekend – and both lost.

Hensingham, also members of the Men’s League beat Ellenborough 24-16, while Glasson went down to CARL side Flimby Vikings.

Craig Holdsworth, Craig Dowling, Luke Blaylock and Kai Gillespie scored the four tries for Ellenborough, none of which were converted.

Hensingham won the game by scoring five tries, two of which were converted by Ellis Postlethwaite.

Jordan Thompson led the way with a couple of tries and he was followed over by Jay Rossi, Finn Barwise and Kylan Barwise.

Flimby, who faded last season after making a flying start, scored six tries against Glasson, only two of which were converted by Callum Moffat.

The tries were scored by Moffat, Tom Mounsey, Ethan Williams, Gary Miller, Luke Baker and Darren Degraff.

Glasson only managed four tries but all were converted by Tom Dixon. The touchdowns came from Brad Tremble, Chris Tomlinson, Dean Pearce and Sean Tierney.

Ellenborough and Glasson will square-up at 2pm tomorrow.