Kendal and Penrith are involved in the match of the day for North One West tomorrow – a much anticipated Cumbrian derby.
The hosts are second in the table behind champions-elect Stockport, nine points better off than Penrith who are fifth in the table.
Back on September 25, Kendal won 34-27 at Winters Park and will be considered strong favourites to complete the double back at Mint Bridge.
Penrith held on to beat Vale of Lune 27-26 last week while Kendal, trailing at half-time to Altrincham Kersal came back to win well 33-7.
Kendal have named an unchanged side but have three different replacements.
Ben Leacock is back from a couple of seasons in the National League with Wharfedale while Nick Carlton is a former top try scorer for the club. Dane Blenkharn completes the bench.
Penrith will be unchanged in the backs but are waiting final availabilities before declaring the full 18.
In the pack Craig Price is unavailable so Craig Tyson starts, moving up from last week’s bench so Glenn Carr will be a front row replacement.
Ryan Johnson starts in the second row after being on the bench last week, swopping with Chris Jackson who will take his turn on the bench but is sure to get game time.
Carlisle lost 55-5 at Firwood Waterloo and find themselves bottom of the North One West table now that they have been docked ten points for failure to play two games.
Under re-organisation they will be saved from relegation but for pride purposes won’t want to end the season bottom of the pile.
They are on the road again tomorrow to Wilmslow but have applied to postpone again, although there doesn’t appear to be much sympathy for their situation from the League or RFU.
Training was cancelled this week after three more players tested positive for COVID after the Firwood Waterloo game.
Carlisle are sensibly taking the view that at the moment there is too much risk of COVID transmission.
Looking to make the top four in North Two West and a step-up in re-organised League rugby next season, Keswick have a massive game tomorrow at second-placed Rochdale.
Keswick are fifth, some 13 points behind Rochdale and having played a game more, so this will be a big test of their credentials.
They do have absentees and won’t be at their strongest but Keswick possess a fine team spirit throughout the club and expect to give a good account of themselves.
For Cockermouth this season was always about survival at this level and after a testing start, not helped by injuries, they have adapted well.
But like Keswick they have a massive test tomorrow when they visit champions elect Anselmians who have won all 12 games so far.
Cockermouth coach Chris Wright said: “We are pleased with the squad available to travel as it shows the depth we have developed, which is largely down to the great work of the 2nds this season.
“Unfortunately injuries to captain James Hunter, Ian McDowell and James Sewell, along with the unavailability of prop Michael Fagan and in-form scrum-half Mark Watson means we have a few places to fill.
“The lads who are coming in are looking forward to challenging themselves against the best team in the League.
“Harry Bibby is also back in training after his nasty hand break before Christmas at Tarleton so we hope to have him back in contention for St Benedict’s at home next week.”
Benny’s will be looking to move further up the table tomorrow as they host Orrell, who are some ten points behind them and sit next to bottom.
Games in the Cumbria League are: Egremont v Wigton; Hawcoat Park v Whitehaven; Workington v Furness; Upper Eden v Creighton.
In Durham Northumberland One Aspatria are chasing a top four spot and have a tough test tomorrow at leaders Northern.
Aspatria are 24 points behind the top side, but do have two games in hand.
The Black Reds coach Mike Scott was very pleased to name a near full strength squad after last night’s training session.
The 18 travelling to take on the promotion bound Northern is a solid blend of youth and experience.
Cameron Steele is once again fully fit and able to take his place in the back row while Phil Dixon, Jack Gaskell and Stuart Creighton are all able to return to first team duty but will all have to be content with a seat on the bench before being called into action.
