Kendal have a big game in prospect on Saturday at Manchester when it’s third at home to second.
In North One West Kendal lead Manchester by eight points but have played a game more.
Kendal go into the contest having been pegged back in the dying seconds last Saturday when a penalty try earned Birkenhead Park a 20-20 draw at Mint Bridge.
It had been a red letter day for forward Liam Hayton who was playing his 400th game for the club.
This week it could be a special occasion for full-back Chris Park if he can score three points. That would take him to 1,000 points for the club – and only the third player to achieve that feat.
He came on from the bench against Birkenhead Park needing six points to join the Thousand Club but only had the chance to put over three of them.
Carlisle, encouraged by their performance in defeat against Penrith last week, are on the road to Broughton Park.
The city side will be hopeful of picking-up a rare away win if they can replicate the line-up and display that saw them run Penrith close.
That was one of the strongest teams that the club had fielded all season and it showed, even though they had to operate for three quarters of the game with 14 men following a red card to Angus Fulton.
Saturday’s opponents Broughton Park are in no man’s land – not involved in a chase for a top four and safe of any scramble at the bottom. Although initial indications are there won’t be any relegation this season because of reorganisation, who knows?
Broughton Park were involved in a very low-scoring game on Saturday when they lost 5-0 at Glossop.
Penrith will be looking to build on that derby win when they host Altrincham Kersal.
At times it wasn’t pretty but it was a 34-24 bonus point win away from home in a local derby in which absolutely no quarter was given.
The Penrith lads knew they had been in a game and the physio was busy on Tuesday and Thursday night patching them up to face Altrincham.
Against Carlisle the Penrith side took control in the final quarter with two tries to seal the win. It was not a game of high quality throughout but the various changes of fortune to both sides kept a large crowd well entertained.
Aspatria are closing in on a top four finish in Durham Northumberland One and can boost their hopes on Saturday with a trip to lowly Acklam. The Black Reds are five points behind fourth-placed Stockton with a game in hand.
Stockton have a key game on Saturday when they host South Shields Westoe, nine points ahead of them from a game less.
In North Two West contrasting opposition for Keswick and St. Benedict’s. Keswick travel to bottom side De La Salle while Benny’s host runaway leaders Anselmians. Cockermouth travel to Bolton.
