TWO preliminary round games in the Cumbria Plate competition are due to be staged on Wednesday night.

Millom, whose opening Cumbria League game at Gosforth Greengarth was postponed on Saturday, will play a south Cumbrian derby at Furness.

Now playing in the North Lancs Cumbria League Furness opened-up with a very good performance at much-fancied Heaton Moor, where they were narrowly beaten 34-30.

There’s a west Cumbrian derby, too, with Egremont hosting Whitehaven after both clubs started with good wins in the Cumbria League.

Egremont beat Moresby 29-0 while Whitehaven scored 11 tries in their 69-10 victory at Creighton.

The two teams are due to meet gain in the League on Saturday but then Whitehaven will have the home advantage.

Plate organising secretary David Morton admits it’s not been easy getting teams to play their preliminary round matches.

He said: “I have had complaints that clubs had not had sufficient notification of the preliminary round of the competition.

“Clubs are reminded that they were all advised by e mail on 16th July of the dates of the various rounds for all the cup competitions, sufficient time I would have thought for fixture secretaries to make the necessary arrangements in their programme.

“The draw for the Plate Competition was made on 5th August and notified to all clubs on 6th August by email.

“The position now is: Keswick have a bye; Ambleside have a bye; Moresby have a bye; Netherhall have a bye; Gosforth Greengarth have a bye and Cockermouth have a bye.

 “The next round, to be played in late April 2010, will be drawn in due course and with clubs being advised in ample time.”

Last season’s final, between Keswick and St. Benedict’s, was never played and suggestions that it might be used as a warm-up game this time round never materialised, so it will not be contested.

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