The 2020 Cumberland Amateur Rugby League season gets under way tomorrow with two divisions of seven and eight teams respectively.

Distington, Ellenborough, Glasson, Kells A, Seaton, Wath Brow A and South Cumbrian newcomers Walney make up the Premier Division.

Secretary Lorraine Degraff said: “This looks to be an extremely competitive league, and should be a tightly-fought battle on the field for the league leaders’ crown.

“On their day all the teams in this league are capable of beating anyone on their day so it should make for an exciting competition.

“Seaton Rangers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2019 season and will be hoping for an increase in performance from a young squad that is now another year older and wiser as the club focus on the transition of talented youth rugby players into the open age ranks.”

Champions Distington warmed up with a win at Lowca last week in a charity friendly and will be the team to beat.

Ellenborough were highly encouraged by their performance at Conference Premier side Siddal last week in the BARLA National Cup when they only went down 32-28.

With Aspatria, Cockermouth, Egremont A, Ellenborough A, Hensingham A, Lowca, Maryport and Seaton A making up Division One, this also has an open look about it.

For Egremont A this year is all about building the team back up again with a new influx of under-16s as a number of their players from last season are stepping up to the National Conference League.

Lowca, who will once again be coached by Lee Allen assisted by John Allen, have managed to keep nearly all of their players from last year.

Maryport, who finished runners-up to Kells A last season on their return to competitive rugby, would like to continue building their squad of players.

Lorraine added: “Once again Iggesund Paperboard (part of the Holman Group) are the league’s main sponsors, with Mitie Security being the main sponsor for the Cumberland Cup.

“As in previous years EB Lamb will once again be sponsoring the Amateur Cup and we would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors ahead of the new season.”

Saturday fixtures (2pm kick-off)

Premier Division: Seaton v Kells A, Ellenborough v Distington, Walney v Glasson.

Division One: Egremont v Ellenborough A, Aspatria v Maryport, Hensingham A v Lowca.