Whitehaven have released the former Wigan forward Jake Moore who joined the Recreation Ground club during the winter.

The west Cumbrian broke his hand in an early season game and had asked for his release because of limited opportunities.

Whitehaven had put together a competitive 26-strong squad in preparation for their drop to League One but several of the local recruits have found it hard to break into the matchday squad.

Moore spoke to the club about being released from his contract and has been allowed to leave.

Others who have rarely figured have been allowed to revert to amateur rugby league as part of the dual registration scheme introduced at county level this year.

Aiden Worthington was back with his amateur club Distington on Saturday and scored in their Cumbria Men’s League win at Wath Brow.

Kurt Maudling, who was in the 19-man squad selected for the Challenge Cup tie with Oxford, but not in the 17 used on the day, has a similar arrangement with the Hensingham club.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “We don’t like to lose any of the players.

"I know it’s frustrating for them not playing but in this game injures happen all the time and opportunities do arise.

“I think the dual registration scheme is a good thing. We want game time for our players and the amateurs are often short of squad numbers so it works both ways.

“If the lads are not included in our matchday squad when it’s announced on a Friday, the likes of Aiden and Kurt would be available to the amateur clubs on the Saturday."