A STALWART of Rugby Union in Cumbria has been elected the county game’s top official for the upcoming season.

Mike Neal, who has been involved with Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club for nearly 50 years, was elected president of Cumbria Rugby Union for the 2018/2019 season at the organisation’s annual’s general meeting.

Mike, who was made an honorary life member of Kirkby Rugby Club in 1985, has been chairman of the County Rugby Discipline Panel for the past 10 years.

He told The Westmorland Gazette: “It is a great honour to represent Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club as county president and especially so as Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club are now playing at the highest level in their 140 year history, playing for the second season in the North Premier division of the National Leagues.

“The club has a great history and is well known for their highly regarded mini and youth sections and for the great hospitality enjoyed by players, patrons and visitors on Saturday afternoons at Underley Park.”

lKirkby Lonsdale will host two pre-season friendlies at Underley Park on August 11 and 18, against Wharfedale and Fylde respectively, and they will play St Benedicts away in the Cumbria Cup on August 25.

The Northern Premier League season gets under way on September 1 when Kirkby are away against Wilmslow.