Distington are on the cusp of making amateur rugby league history as they prepare for the final game of the season.

The villagers take on Barrow Island at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven (ko 2.30pm) on Saturday and they could finish the season unbeaten in League and Cups.

After finishing top of the Cumbria Men’s League for the second year in a row, they are after the Top Four Play-off Trophy, having already won the BARLA Cumbria Cup and the Cumberland Cup.

Although records from the dim and distant past are still being checked it is believed that no amateur team has won every game they have been involved in within the county.

Brookland Rovers, Risehow, Broughton Moor, Kells, Hensingham, Ellenborough and Wath Brow have all had excellent teams in the past but their records fall short of Distington’s.

Coach Carl Hewer is justifiably proud, but insists there is still one more match to get through unscathed.

“It would leave a bit of a sour taste after all we’ve done and then go and lose the last game.

“We’be played Barrow Island three times and won each one but there were times in all three games when it could have gone the other way.

“We certainly respect them and have a very good relationship with them. There’s plenty of camaraderie off the field, even though it might be very competitive on it. We all stay a couple of hours in their clubhouse after a game, and they do the same at Distington.

“I have everybody to pick from for the final and with a squad of 25 that will take a bit of sorting. It gives me a headache but one that any coach doesn’t mind.

“In actual fact I trust every single one of the 25 to do the job they would be asked and that’s been part of the secret of our success, together with being very fit after an excellent pre-season,” says Hewer.

Being so successful, does he think that players will be tempted to turn professional?

He reveals: “Well I know Les Ashe, the new director of rugby at Workington Town is interested in a couple of our lads but the problem will be in giving them sufficient game time without a second string if they sign. We’ve seen a number of amateur players in recent years go back to their roots because they weren’t getting games.

“Personally I thought Whitehaven cast aside Scott George too early. His game management for us is superb and I feel we have a number of forwards who could play professionally.

“Not that I’m pushing them away, far from it, but I would always like to see good players prosper and make good professionals if they get a chance.”

Saturday’s final at the Recreation Ground is the last game of the season in local amateur rugby league apart from up-coming triangular county championship matches.