ANOTHER season of rugby union in South Cumbria is in the books and it offers the perfect opportunity to look back on how the area's clubs fared during 2016/17.

Hawcoat Park's first team secured a comfortable mid-table finish in North Lancs/Cumbria, though the highlight for the Maroon and White was their A-team reaching the cup semi-finals.

There are promising signs at Furness, while Millom have reason to be optimistic for the future following the successful return of their second team and with a growing junior section.

Elsewhere, it is hopefully onwards and upwards for Windermere and Ambleside come September.

HAWCOAT PARK

IN the captain's armband, Dan White led his Hawcoat Park troops by example, backed up by class act Will Mallinson.

The team performed well, finishing mid-table in North Lancs/Cumbria, but they could have been higher had the second half of the season matched the first.

Because of injuries and unavailability due to work, Hawcoat utilised the large squad at their disposal, but they lost games they should have won by the odd point – something they will learn from going forward.

Ash Mowatt was a standout player, along with young wing man Will Coles in his first season of open-age rugby.

Plans for next season are already in place as the team aims to go from strength to strength, with new blood coming into the squad adding to what is already a great team.

League record: P26, W11, D2, L13.

HAWCOAT PARK A

PARK A had a great first season in the Raging Bull League set-up, finishing fourth, only a few points behind second.

They also went on a great cup run, reaching the semi-finals of the knock-out competition and playing clubs they had not faced in the past, which was great experience.

Front men Ryan Brown and Paul Woodburn were key, along with Joe Rea, who played in many positions plugging gaps in the side.

There was a shortage of numbers on odd occasions, but Millom, Ambleside and Furness lads came to play and get a game of rugby under their belts – true grass roots rugby and what the sport is all about.

Stalwart Adam Williamson was always on hand, along with Martin Kennedy and Dave Wynne. Former Colts Charlie Butterworth, Will Martin and Euan James did well too, with Rory Sayle and Harrison O'Brien showing great promise for next season.

With a great junior section, the teams will go o nto bigger things as they introduce the next group to open-age rugby.

League record: P22, W12, D0, L10.

FURNESS

THE Blues will be looking for more continuity next season as they were hit by availability due to injuries and work commitments.

Skipper Rhys Studt was immense, along with Joe Mallinson and Corne Els, who drive the team on.

Steve Perry was influential, pulling the strings from the back line, and with players like young Rhys Humphries, Ryan Cunningham and Thailand rugby league international Tez Nueto, they have the makings of a good team next season.

Up front, will hopefully see Leon Sweet and Ben Hughes still putting the foot to the pedal.

Player/coach Dillan Taputu did a sterling job keeping the show on the road and played some great rugby.

Furness will be looking to get the second team up and running again next season as they grow the club back to where it should be.

League record: P15, W7, D0, L8.

MILLOM

MILLOM'S season saw the club grow, with the second team back up and running and a strong junior section feeding the open-age sides.

Gordon Park and his team should be applauded for the work they have down, along with captain Ian Cummings for putting teams out each week.

Stalwart Steve Watson was pivotal for the club, with Chris Park always on hand to help where required.

Kieron Coulson and Joe Thomlinson's roles in the team came to the fore, with the young lads performing beyond their young years.

Sy Robertson was one of the finds of the year, with the young fly-half learning his craft and progressing his game. Ryan Carter was on hand with plenty of get up and go – as were Callum Loughran and Kyle Barnes, who both made their open-age debuts.

Millom have plenty to be proud of, and a bright future beckons as they look to keep building on the strong foundations now in place.

League record: P16, W6, D0, L10.

WINDERMERE

THEloss of captain James Crawford in a pre-season cup game put Windermere on the back foot from the off, but Jamie Hardman stepped in as the new skipper.

Despite losing more than they have won, it was clear the club is moving in the right direction, with women’s rugby and juniors now running.

Dan Harrison was at the middle of most things, as the true club man looked to keep Windermere moving in the right direction.

Dan Neild and Bertie Hodgson built a superb partnership at scrum half and fly-half respectively, as did second-row pairing Johnny Benson and former Furness lock Tadhg Butler.

Moses Dawson found himself playing a few different positions, adding strings to his bow, with Andy Duncan stepping into full-back duties in Crawford's absence.

League record: P16 W5 D0 L11.

AMBLESIDE

AMBLESIDE have a lot to be proud of under the leadership of Paul Longster and the committee running the club.

Putting teams out week in, week out and having players appear for other teams when they were short was nothing short of brilliant.

Although still let down on the fixture front, with five teams not travelling, they played 18 games in a strong Cumbria League Two, finishing fourth.

Mike Gibson was brilliant as part of the front three, along with Mike Blakeston and Gregg Stephenson. Steven Matthews and Matthew Middlemiss were the rocks in defence, with Lewis Kelly tidying up from full-back.

Elsewhere, Pip Houghton teamed up nicely with Cyril Lathes and the ever-present Gregg Machino.

The club continue to make improvement on and off the pitch.

League record: P18, W5, D0, L8, plus five no shows.