EGREMONT Rangers passed their screen test with flying colours – and laid down an early marker in the Conference Premier Division.

Saturday’s late kick-off in front of the FreeSports cameras saw them win well at Rochdale Mayfield, a side who have regularly proved more than a match for the Cumbrian sides.

It finished 22-6 to the Rangers who reacted positively to wind-ups before the game, originating in Rochdale, that they were the worst team in Cumbria.

That might have been taken out of context – third best of Cumbria’s three Premier Division clubs last year might have been a fairer observation.

No matter, it certainly did the trick as Egremont were one of only two teams to win away on the opening day.

Tomorrow, they have to travel again, this time to Wigan St Patrick’s, who started the season with a 26-18 defeat at newly-promoted Underbank Rangers.

There’s a very good chance that Egremont won’t be third best of west Cumbia’s Premier Division representatives this time round, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer and they will need to tackle St Pat’s with similar resolve to last Saturday.

It will not have gone unnoticed at Egremont that, following Leigh Miners Rangers’ demise, St Patrick’s are the longest-serving club in the Premier Division.

Interestingly Underbank Rangers, who beat Wigan St Patrick’s, are in Cumbria tomorrow when they visit Wath Brow.

It’s a good yardstick for them as the Hornets have been well established as one of the top four amateur clubs in the country over the last few seasons.

However, you’re only as good as your last game, and Wath Brow will want to erase the memory of their 18-10 defeat in Wakefield against Normanton Knights last weekend.

Underbank, from Holmfirth near Huddersfield, were promoted from Division One and are enjoying Premier Division status for the first time.

Top match in the Premier Division of the Iggesund Cumberland League will be at Distington where Ellenborough Rangers are the visitors.

Distington started the new season with a 24-0 win at Kells A while Ellenborough were narrowly beaten 22-20 at Hensingham, going down in the last minute to a converted try.

Hensingham entertain Glasson Rangers in the other top flight game. The visitors started with a 16-10 defeat at Seaton Rangers.

There were three games in Division One headed by Egremont A’s home clash with Cockermouth Titans. Egremont beat Flimby 16-6 last weekend, while the Titans lost 28-6 at Wath Brow A.

Lowca head the table by virtue of a better points differential, which was helped by an opening 36-0 win over Broughton Red Rose.

It should be a bit closer tomorrow when they entertain Aspatria Hornets who have mixed fortunes so far, Two weeks ago they were involved in the only game to be played, beating Flimby 34-32.

At the weekend, their home clash with Hensingham A was the only one to be called-off.

Hensingham are expecting to get their campaign up and running tomorrow when they visit Flimby.