Kendal gained a welcome win at neighbours Kirkby Lonsdale in Regional One North West last week.
But a stiffer challenge awaits on Saturday when they host third-in-the-table Lymm, fresh from a 90-12 win over Burnage.
Kendal, through injuries and unavailabilities, had virtually to field a completely new back division and will certainly hope that won’t be the case this week.
At half-time they trailed the League’s whipping boys, and after the previous week’s shock County Cup exit, another embarrassment beckoned.
But the Mint Bridge side rallied well and turned a 23-22 half-time deficit into a victory margin of 46-23 – a second-half whitewash being particularly rewarding.
Kirkby Lonsdale have suffered heavy defeats all season but there were encouraging signs in the first-half that their young side is perhaps getting to grips with what is required.
On Saturday they visit mid-table Wirral who have three wins and three defeats to their name, including a 37-17 home win over Kendal.
A county derby in Regional Two North catches the eye as high-flying Penrith visit Keswick.
Penrith will start favourites as they sit second in the table five points behind leaders Morpeth who are 100 per cent in points gained from their first six games.
Keswick, by contrast, are fourth bottom with two wins from their six fixtures, but in defeat have shown they can be doggedly capable.
Last week was a fine example as they travelled to third-in-the-table Northern and a fine second-half effort restricted their hosts to a 31-10 victory.
By contrast Penrith produced a storming second-half to beat Stockton 63-0.
It’s looking decidedly like a League in two sections – a top six, possibly even just five, with the rest already starting to fall well behind.
Penrith’s only defeat was at home to Middlesbrough who lost 26-13 at home to Morpeth on Saturday.
It will put the Teesside club in the mood to make quick amends when they travel to Carlisle who have still only one point on the League ladder.
They lost 50-12 at Percy Park last week but like the rest of the bottom six their survival at this level will depend mainly on how they do against the clubs similarly positioned.
Carlisle are still experiencing injury issues and only travelled with the one replacement last week and he was needed for the second half.
A broken arm for young full-back Freddie Rawling was the latest injury catastrophe to hit George Graham’s side.
Aspatria earned their first points of the season with an excellent 62-7 home win over South Shields Westoe.
Despite this convincing win over one of their close rivals, Aspatria will not be getting carried away.
Some hard days lie ahead, including an away day trip tomorrow to Morpeth who are the standout team in this league.
Looking ahead beyond Morpeth, Aspatria will then enter a vital four-week period during which they play four of the sides that look likely to be alongside them in the battle to avoid relegation.
This is a crucial run of games for the Bower Park side who will be delighted that three of the four are home fixtures.
There are six fixtures in the Counties 1 Cumbria League and they all look well balanced.
The pick could be Wigton v St. Benedict’s while Cockermouth v Penrith 2nds suggests it will be a close contest.
Leaders Upper Eden travel to Whitehaven; rejuvenated Silloth visit Workington; Creighton have home advantage over Millom, who make the longest trip of the day while Egremont host Hawcoat Park.
