But they do have a game in hand on their two rivals Aspatria and Egremont.
They lost 18-10 at Kells but it was a game of contrasting fortunes. Kells led 18-0 at half-time but Cockermouth were the only side to score after the resumption.
The Kells tries came from Ryan Doran, Lloyd O’Neil and Nathan Doran, all converted by Ryan Doran.
Cockermouth fought hard in the second-half with tries from Ryan Burns and Liam Wild, one converted by Brad Taylor, but they just couldn’t make any further inroads.
Aspatria Hornets are the new leaders after beating Broughton Red Rose 56-6, but only on points differential – and this win against the league’s bottom side helped them achieve that.
It was 24-6 at half-time and in the end Aspatria finished with 10 tries and six goals by Luke Johnston.
Guy Reed led the way with a hat-trick of tries while also going over were Johnston, Stuart Creighton, Ross Barton, Brad Bouch, Alex Barton, Shane Evitts and Gary Armstrong.
For Broughton Red Rose the try was scored by Bleu Robinson and the conversion was by Grant Lee.
There was a tight game at Lowca where the home side beat Flimby 22-12 after leading 12-6 at the half-way stage.
John Tinneson (2), Tony Hetherington and Declan McKenna scored the Lowca tries with Aiden Pirie landing three goals.
The Flimby tries were scored by Grant Underwood, who made a 75-yard interception, and Connor Wilson. Darren Pape converted both.
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