By John Walsh

Last updated 12:30, Friday, 19 September 2008

Aspatria have been devoting extra time in training this week to analyse the new laws being experimented with this season.

It followed a difficult introduction at Driffield last Saturday when coach Mike Scott his players had often been baffled.

Chairman of rugby Mark Richardson went with the second team to North Shields for a Senior Vase tie but has been up-dated by Scott on the problems for the first team.

“We spent a bit of time on Tuesday looking at the experimental rules and hopefully things will be better on Saturday.

“A lot of people seem to think that they will be detrimental to the game, making it more stop-start and cause unnecessary problems.

“But I think a lot of it will be down to the referee’s interpretation and after we had clarified certain aspects, particularly with regard to the change in the rucking area, I thought the Eagles handed them well,” he said.

Aspatria lost 30-12 at Driffield and tomorrow entertain local rivals Carlisle, who also started with a defeat – losing 15-26 at home to Billingham.

Aspatria will bring Richard Miller back into the pack as he missed last week’s trip to Driffield through farming commitments.

Workington, Wigton, Keswick, Upper Eden and Kirkby Lonsdale ensure there’s a strong county presence in North Lancs Cumbria.

Last week Workington, Wigton and Keswick started their League programmes with away fixtures – and only the Greens were successful.

They beat Oldham 15-5 with the help of tries from Richard Moffat and Dan Reed and will make limited changes for the visit of Tyldesley. David Warwick is unavailable but coach Malcolm Brown still has to decide on his replacement.

Tomorrow Workington, who will have a stronger look about them, entertain Aldwinians who had beaten Keswick 31-6 on Saturday.

Last season Aldwinians and Keswick were two Leagues apart but a respective relegation and promotion has put them together this time round.

Netherhall, successful two weeks ago in the Senior Vase at Whitley Bay, Rockcliffe, start their Cumbria League campaign tomorrow at home to Workington Steelers.

Other Cumbria League games are: Aspatria Eagles v Creighton; Gosforth Greengarth v Cockermouth; Millom v Wigton Wanderers; Moresby v Egremont; St. Benedict’s v Whitehaven.