Cockermouth won that game 20-19 in front of a large crowd enticed by a poster campaign throughout the town with the game billed as the biggest in the club’s history. Many of those present were obviously not regular rugby followers as, much to the embarrassment of the Cockermouth officials, there was an outburst of booing and advertising board thumping as an under-the-weather Sam Heron stepped up to take a last-ditch penalty, which would have won the game.

The Cumbrians then went on to fly the flag for the North with a tremendous 21-17 win at Yorkshire One champions Goole before going out 27-12 in the semi-final at Harlow.

And one consolation was that the West team did make it to Twickenham. Kathryn Waites’ photo, taken at a scenic Strawberry How, did make it to Twickenham as a finalist in the prestigious Rugby Photographer of the Year competition.

The victory at Goole was the club’s last as they have struggled in Regional 2. The "Wasps" have yet to win a game and had  their five points,  for a draw at Upper Eden plus bonus points,  deducted after failing to send a side to league leaders Percy Park.

However, they will be eager to break that duck against a West side which finally achieved an away win last week beating Stockton 24-15 at Grangefield.

Those five points moved West up to seventh in the league as the fight to avoid the second relegation pace hots up with Upper Eden, Keswick, Stockton and Morpeth also in the mix.

Injuries once again inhibit team selection week with Will Hilditch and Lewis Scott still suffering from Boxing Day, while Jake Tennant is back at Uni after doing a tremendous job in the centre since Christmas. Skipper Ryan Painter’s hamstring means he is unlikely to figure until February.

Up front Jay Corbett and Connor McLurg are still out. Josh Wilson picked up a knock last week and fellow second row Ollie Webster misses his first game of the season.

Fortunately, the lads who have come in have seized their opportunity. Matt Baggs doing a tremendous job at scrum half and unlucky to get his first try ruled out last week when he dotted down as the Stcokton scrum went back over the line. Fellow teenagers Jacob Wood and Sam Knight getting some great scores.

The only change in the backs sees the hard-working Kyle Jamieson come into the centre with Will Corbett into the second row alongside Jake Linighan and Charlie Kay starting in the back row.

 The Stags are off to  Peterlee to take on Horden IIs after ending Stockton Saracens' unbeaten run last week