Top attractions in Cumbrian rugby union circles both feature in North One West tomorrow.
For those who like the feisty, competitiveness of a derby clash should look no further than Warwick Road where Carlisle and Penrith go head-to-head.
Alternatively there’s a tasty clash at Mint Bridge where second-in-the-table, still smarting from a recent defeat at Birkenhead Park, have a quick opportunity to make amends by staging the return game.
Neither Carlisle or Penrith were involved in first team action last week, although the Winters Park club took the bragging rights when their second teams met at Warwick Road.
The end of the season can’t come soon enough for Carlisle who have suffered a nightmare with injuries, not to mention Covid. The club is in the process of finding a new first team coach while appointing a youth development officer.
Penrith are firmly mid-table in North One West with eight games to play. They have won ten and lost eight so far to sit seventh of 14 with 54 points.
Carlisle, who still have to play ten games, have only won three of their 16 games and with a ten point penalty deduction sit bottom of the table with just eight points.
It’s fair to say that neither Kendal nor Birkenhead Park exactly scaled the heights on February 5 when the Cumbrians lost 25-14 on Merseyside.
Birkenhead Park are 15 points and three places behind Kendal but they do have two games in hand, and they visit Cumbria on the back of seven straight wins which included five bonus point successes.
It could be a big occasion for two Kendal stalwarts. Forward Liam Hayton has played 399 games for the club so far while full-back Chris Park is just six points shy of 1,000 points for Kendal – a feat achieved by only two other players.
There’s still no official confirmation that some Leagues will be offering a promotion this season in the light of new RFU reorganisation plans. Aspatria are working on the assumption that finishing in the top four in the Durham Northumberland League will be of benefit.
Sitting fifth, ten points adrift of Stockton who currently occupy fourth spot, the Black Reds will be looking for maximum points when they host fourth-bottom Whitley Bay Rockcliff tomorrow.
In North Two West Keswick are in a similar position, looking for a top four finish ands hoping it means a step-up – but in the end dependant on the final word from the RFU in a few week’s time.
They are currently third and tomorrow entertain Tarleton who are 18 points worse off but with a couple of games in hand.
Winnington Park are only five points behind Keswick with three games in hand so the Lakes side will be hoping neighbours Cockermouth can do them a favour tomorrow when they host the Cheshire side.
St. Benedict’s, the third Cumbrian side in North Two West, visit Leigh.
