The Cumbria County Cup final has been confirmed for Kendal’s Mint Bridge ground on Saturday, March 18 (ko 3pm).
It will be an intriguing contest between two potential League champions – Penrith and Upper Eden.
The near neighbours are set to go head-to-head in what is sure to be a fiercely-contested affair – the highest profile contest the pair have ever gone into together.
The champagne corks could be popping at Winters Park on Saturday where Penrith take on Consett.
The home side need just two points to clinch the Regional 2 North title and will be odds-on to achieve that against a struggling Consett team.
Meanwhile Upper Eden, despite their first defeat in almost three years on Saturday, are seven points clear in Counties 1 Cumbria from Cockermouth who beat them 10-5 at Strawberry How.
Upper Eden will be extra-keen to regain winning ways when they host Egremont on Saturday in their follow-up Conference fixture.
A brilliant season for Penrith has just two League games to run – Consett at home followed by a tougher trip to Durham City.
They have a 14-point lead over Morpeth, who still have three games to play – so two points are all that are needed to see them over the line.
The fourth bottom visitors are still looking over their shoulders at Keswick and South Shields Westoe catching them – but do have three games left after Saturday to make themselves safe.
Dave Preston’s men have been beaten only twice this season – once at home by Middlesbrough and they certainly avenged that defeat with last week’s emphatic 64-13 win in the return fixture.
If Penrith can clinch the title then Keswick will also hope to take a firm step towards safety.
They will be looking for maximum points from their home game with already-relegated Carlisle to take into their final game next week at Consett.
They will also be aware that South Shields Westoe play Morpeth tomorrow and although it’s ifs and buts a five-point swing could be enough to see the Lakesiders safe.
Keswick were without several key players for last week’s game against Northern, but should be back to strength for this crucial final contest at Davidson Park.
Carlisle are still looking for that elusive first win and were beaten at home by Consett last week.
They have drawn one game so far – and that was at home to Keswick – so will travel with some degree of optimism.
Aspatria weren’t involved in any League rugby last week and resume at home to Percy Park.
The least said about Kirkby Lonsdale’s 190-0 British record defeat at Blackburn the better.
They follow-up at Northwich in Regional 1 North West where it certainly shouldn’t be as traumatic. Their hosts lie fourth bottom, albeit 43 points better off.
Kendal, who are third bottom on 34 points, travel to Rossendale a side who have climbed to third in the table.
In Counties 1 Cumbria Conference leaders Upper Erden host Egremont; Cockermouth travel to Millom, while Whitehaven entertain Wigton.
Conference 2 games are: Creighton v Penrith A; St. Benedict’s v Silloth; Workington v Hawcoat Park.
