It really has happened – Cumbrian clubs have been jettisoned as the North Lancs Cumbria League has been abandoned and for a season will have to battle among themselves.

Although there was initial dismay at the decision, clubs do seem now to be largely accepting the verdict and the mindset is on winning the eight-team Cumbria League.

That does have drawbacks, one of them financial, in that there will only be 10 home games instead of the usual 13 to bolster club finances.

But the incentive is that the winners of the league will gain promotion to Level Six, exactly where they would have been by winning the North Lancs Cumbria League.

The runners-up would also have a stab at joining them by the way of a play-off game.

Soon after the decision was announced, the views were downbeat and long-time Aspatria supporter Adrian Harker was not alone in feeling the future of Cumbria rugby has been put in the balance.

He said: “You need a high level of competition if promoted to compete in Level 6, and this is not going to help.

“If you look at the Cumbrian clubs promoted out of Level 7 in general they last two seasons, then come down again.

"When Carlisle were promoted, they were the best team in our league by a fair margin, however, last season was a struggle.

“So now the RFU have abandoned us. I find it quite remarkable how Cumbrian rugby is treated by the governing bodies. Just cast aside without a thought. Especially when St Benedict’s got to Twickenham only a few seasons ago.

“I have always wondered why in rugby league, the powers that be will back a London club, French club, Welsh club, and now a Canadian club, but to help promote west Cumbrian clubs is not on the agenda. They have been cast aside, and now its our turn.

“I have said it before that, when we thought about joining the Scottish set-up many years ago, we should have tried. We might find that in the not-too-near future Aspatria and Wigton will join together as interest in our sport dies.

“For those of you who think it could not happen, I can tell you now it has been suggested within the last 15 years.

“I have been involved in rugby union since the late 1960s at school and with the Black Reds. However, I have now lost interest.”

A pretty damning opinion of the situation, but one which might now be overtaken by those offering a more upbeat forecast.

Malcolm Brown, in the Wigton camp and incidentally an old school chum of Adrian’s, was more philosophical.

“It is what it is. As far as Wigton are concerned we will be setting our stall out to win the league and gain promotion,” said Brown.

“There are concerns about fewer home games affecting club income but, as far as the players are concerned, the aim is to be as successful as possible.

"We are looking forward to the start of the season in September.”

Mark Lee, because of increased weekend business commitments, has reversed coaching roles and it’s his former assistant Andrew Brown who will be the lead coach for the 2018/19 season.

Wigton will start the Cumbria League programme on September 8 with a trip to Hawcoat Park and, a week later, host the big derby clash with Aspatria.

Keswick also seem to be taking a positive stance over the changes, encouraged by their excellent showing last season in North Lancs Cumbria after winning promotion from the old Cumbria League.

Chairman Trevor Keough said: “It will be a real rugby challenge and it would be fair to say there will be no easy games.

“I think that having seen the way our teams played last year and with the team and club spirit we are building, we can rise to this and show just how good we are.

“It will need a big effort from all players and members to really give it a go.

"We will also look to fill gaps in the fixture list with possible friendlies which may involve away bus trips at first team level.

“We are determined to keep developing the club from top to bottom and not to stand still.”

Keswick actually start with three home games – Whitehaven (Sept 8); Cockermouth (Sept 22) and Hawcoat Park (Sept 29).

Other games on the opening day are – Cockermouth v Aspatria; Upper Eden v St. Benedict’s.