Last updated 13:29, Friday, 14 November 2008

Ellenborough chairman Wilson Smith does not see tomorrow’s Amateur Cup clash with major rivals Kells as a dress rehearsal for their Cumbria Cup final meeting over Christmas.

Amateur Rugby League preview with Martin Morgan

Smith warned that both teams, shorn of their ex-professional contingent tomorrow, will look very different for their showpiece final meeting on December 27.

“Us and Kells will probably be equal in the number of ex-professionals we lose tomorrow,” Smith said. “Two different teams will be turning out in the Cumbria Cup final, and tomorrow’s game will have no bearing at all.

“It should come down at the weekend to who is stronger in the amateur ranks. It’s not easy to win at Kells, but we did it twice last year, and we’ll give it our best shot again.”

Gary Murdock’s team will be without ex-pros John Addison, Barrie Murdock, Jason Moore, David Whitworth, Ryan Blair and Jonathan Heaney, while Paul West has a shoulder problem.

Talented ex-Haven hooker Carl Sice will be among those sidelined for Kells.

Champs Ellenborough and Kells were the Cumberland League’s top two clubs last term, and they are shaping up for a repeat showing this season.

But the Maryport outfit’s title hopes almost suffered a bad knock against visitors Wath Brow last weekend.

Struggling to get past dogged defence from a youthful Hornets outfit, Ellenborough were trailing with just three minutes left on the clock.

“We got out of jail,” Smith said. “I must give a lot of credit to Wath Brow. They defended like their lives depended on it.

“We were 6-4 down and then Stephen Stoddart came good. We didn’t have our strongest team out, but that takes nothing away from Wath Brow. They had the right tactics.

“The final score was 16-6, and while some will say the score flattered us, the game’s played over 80 minutes.”

Cockermouth host Maryport in the Amateur Cup, buoyed by their opening league win over Seaton last week.

Boss Colin Armstrong is convinced there will be better times ahead for last season’s Division Two champs.

“We are improving and will keep improving,” said Armstrong, who took the coaching job just ahead of this season’s kick off. “People had been saying we wouldn’t win a game all season, but I don’t think we’ll get relegated.

“Seaton are third in the league, and we showed guts to come back from 16-12 down, got a try and then a field goal to win it.”

Gareth Skillen is ineligible tomorrow, and Johnny Goulding and Mark Haycock are unavailable. But Armstrong reckons Cockermouth will still prove competitive.

Glasson host Hensingham, in a repeat of last week’s league clash, won 22-14 by the visitors, while Broughton Red Rose host Distington.

Conference Division One leaders Wath Brow can deal third-placed Castleford Panthers’ title hopes a blow.

The Hornets top the table by two points from Widnes St Maries, who are two ahead of Cas. The Widnes outfit face a stern test at West Bowling, and if results go in their favour tomorrow, the Brow could open up a four-point gap at the summit.