Carlisle have been handed a bye into the final of the Cumbria Cup.

Two quarter finals are due to be played over the next ten days and the winners of those two games will meet in the one semi-final to be tagged.

Penrith host Wigton tomorrow night at Winters Park while Workington will take-on Aspatria at the Ellis Sports Ground on Saturday, April 17.

The draw was made by John Rogers of the Creighton club and Penrith host Wigton tonight at Winters Park while Workington will take-on Aspatria at the Ellis Sports Ground on Saturday, April 17.

Tomorrow’s clash is an intriguing one between a Penrith side, still in with an outside chance of promotion from National Three North and Wigton, crowned North Lancs Cumbria champions on Saturday.

The most interested observer will be Wigton’s assistant coach Nigel Beaty, who used to be coach at the Penrith club.

He says: “The crucial area of the game will be the pace. Our defensive organisation has been superb all season but we have had time to do so. Penrith will play at a higher pace than we are used to so we will need to adapt to the pace quickly.

“Penrith’s backs have been hitting the headlines and we will need to make sure we do not turnover any ball but the forwards are also strong with some quality players.

“We will have the same backline as Saturday and they are all under-21 apart from Tane Manihera so it will be an interesting contest.

“Personally I have mixed emotions as I have coached the majority of the Penrith team, especially the young players. I have been involved in their development  from the age of 12 when I was rugby development manager so will want to see them play well - but not too well!”

Penrith are expected to b at full strength but Wigton have a couple of players still trying to get time off work for the 6-30pm kick-off. Tom Gardner is the definite absentee as he has a facial injury and won’t be able to play again this season.

As well as the County Cup the draws were made for the Shield, the Plate and the Vase.

In the Shield semi-finals Silloth will play Egremont A and St. Benedict’s A will entertain  Whitehaven A.

The Plate has another bye into the semi-final – Millom, with the winners of Whitehaven and Netherhall playing Cockermouth in the only semi-final.

There are a few more games to play in the Vase but Workington A are through to the semi-final, leaving three quarter finals to be played – Kirkby Lonsdale v Aspatria Eagls; Penrith A v Carlisle A and Kendal A v Wigton A.

Cumbria County RFU is also looking for a new secretary as Alan Tiffen is standing down to take on the role as President.

Cumbrian John Owen, the FRU President will be at the Keswick club tomorrow night to present officials with £500 in prize money as section winners in the Rugby Football Union's QBE President's XV Awards for 2010.

The 15 top awards, plus 30 runners-up prizes of £100, recognise and reward clubs around the country for their innovative thinking in a variety of areas aimed at promoting and developing the game.

Having finished runners-up in the Seal of Approval Club of the Year Section in 2008/9, Keswick RFC claimed the award this year, although it says much for their hard-pressed volunteers that they even had time to enter.

The year was one of triumph as well as adversity for the Cumbrian club and their elevation to top spot is a fitting tribute to all the workers at Davidson Park. 

Before the presentation there is a big Unrer-17’s clash at Davidson Park between Keswick and Consett when the winners will take the League title.

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