SPORTS clubs will join forces to reach a common goal when Workington Town players take on Workington Cricket Club in a memorial match next week.

The rugby squad and the cricketers will take part in a charity T20 match to raise vital funds for the two clubs post coronavirus.

And the fundraiser will be held in memory of Wilf Harrison, former chairman of Workington Town and a familiar face in the area’s cricket scene.

Town and Workington CC players will be mixed amongst the two teams.

Cricket club skipper Matthew Lowden is excited to take part in the Wilf Harrison Memorial Challenge.

He said: “I’m looking forward to it. We’ll get a good amount of people down to support."

Lowden added that it is good to see two of the town’s clubs working together for a worthy cause: “We’re trying to create more of a community between the teams in Workington.”

He added that the game will be a spectacle as rugby league players take up the bats.

“It’ll be interesting to see them try our sport. We should put on a good show for the fans.”

Cricket players are in a fortunate position as the sprawling playing field means it was one of the first sports to return after lockdown.

Lowden said: “It’s good to have it back on – it’s been really good these past few weeks.”

Mr Harrison’s daughter Kerry has followed in her father’s footsteps and became a board member at Workington Town.

She said: “As part of our ongoing determined efforts to strengthen our sporting links with all sports clubs in the area, it is very touching to see two clubs who hold a special place in our family’s hearts come together to assist each other and above all have some fun. My dad would be very proud to see this joint venture.”

Mr Harrison who died in 2014, was heavily involved in cricket as well as rugby league. He would have been a familiar face to Workington Cricket Club having played against them and at the Ernest Valentine Ground in the British Steels.

Workington Cricket Club chairman Kristian Moffat said: “After a difficult time for both clubs, we’re delighted to welcome Workington Town to the club again after they successfully sponsored one of our games last year, and to play in Wilf’s name, a man with strong links to both clubs, is an honour.”

The match takes place on Friday August 28 from 5.30pm, and supporters and friends of both clubs are encouraged to be (socially-distanced) spectators.