Carlisle Rugby Club is to launch its own Sevens tournament this summer which they hope will become an annual event.

The tournament will feature teams from the North East, Scotland, Lancashire and Cumbria, all competing for the Border City Sevens Trophy and Plate.

During the tournament weekend (set for June 28/29), there will be a combined beer, music and food festival with local bands, local beers and locally-sourced food making it an event for all.

Children’s activities will also be featured so that the Saturday is geared towards a family-friendly day out.

It all represents the bright new era at the Warwick Road club, despite the atmosphere around the place three years ago which was one of disbelief and dismay.

Marketing and sponsorship officer Barry Earl said: “It really was a case of where do we go next and how do we keep the club going.

“Storm Desmond had ripped through the facilities, the business wasn’t able to function and the club’s teams were all forced to play and train away from Warwick Road for the second time in 10 years.

“Three years down the line and the club is alive again, with regular users such as Carlisle United supporters and squash club members, returning.

“The youth section is as strong as ever; the women’s side are thriving and the men’s side have been promoted from Level Seven and are now looking to get promoted from Level Six to Level Five or North One.

“The club is well supported by local businesses and the local community and is now aiming to build on the post-floods momentum.

“More information on the festival will be provided in the coming weeks through our website, social media and the local press but the dates are confirmed as June 28/29.”

Carlisle, of course, still have to get over the line in the race for automatic promotion from North One West.

Basically, it’s between them and Blackburn with four games left – and the Cumbrians have a six-point lead.

After a week’s break, they start tomorrow at home to Birkenhead Park, the club lying third in the table but some 18 points behind them.

On paper, it’s Carlisle’s toughest game of the four they have left and a win should put them firmly back in the driving seat, closing in on guaranteed promotion from finishing top.

Blackburn are at Firwood Waterloo, one of seven clubs still involved in a battle to avoid the third and final relegation place.

Penrith are in that dogfight, currently nine points clear of the dreaded third-bottom slot but with four potentially tough games to play.

Tomorrow, they host Northwich who are fourth in the table and who had the distinction of completing a league double over Carlisle.

Penrith did themselves the power of good in their last two games with a five-point win over doomed Anselmians and an honourable away draw with Warrington, one of their rivals in the battle to avoid the drop.

Northwich, at best, can finish third but are clearly a useful side on their day with their two performances against Carlisle solid proof of that.

In Cumbria League A, with Keswick confirmed as the winners, Aspatria are closing in on second place and a promotion play-off game. 

No doubt they would very much like to clinch that tomorrow as they host old rivals Wigton.

Keswick came unstuck at Aspatria two weeks ago but they have already wrapped up the title and will want to complete the season with two more victories, starting at home to Cockermouth tomorrow.

In Cumbria League Two, Silloth can clinch promotion by winning their penultimate game at Egremont, while nearest rivals Workington have a home game with Moresby. 

Carlisle Crusaders make the long trek to Furness; Aspatria Eagles are at Millom and Wigton Wanderers entertain Windermere.