By Martin Morgan

Last updated 11:55, Wednesday, 04 June 2008

Former Leeds Rhinos star Willie Poching will be a special guest at Cumberland League champs Ellenborough’s presentation night on Saturday (7.30pm).

Poching, who skippered Samoa during the 2000 World Cup, is now on the coaching staff at Headingley.

“He’s a big name, and we’re told by Gary Hetherington and Bob Pickles, Leeds’ chief scout, that we couldn’t get a better man for the job,” said Ellenborough chairman Wilson Smith.

A few £8 tickets for the event, in Grasslot Welfare, Sport & Social Club, which covers a buffet and disco, are still available from committee members.

The Maryport outfit played 37 games this term, and in addition to the league title, lifted the Cumbria and Amateur Cups.

And they faltered only in the last two games of the long campaign, losing the Champion of Champions final at Fylde, and the Top Four final, going down to old rivals Kells, at the weekend.

“If you win three trophies, it’s been a good season,” Smith added. “We haven’t the biggest squad and have operated with about 24 players all season”.