Two big derby clashes feature in this weekend’s League programme for rugby union clubs.
In Regional 2 North the two bottom sides – Cockermouth and Keswick clash at Strawberry How.
Then at Lowmoor Road in the Counties 1 Cumbria leaders Carlisle put their uneaten record on the line against Wigton.
Cockermouth are still looking for their first win in the League but put up a fighting display at Stockton last week when they went down narrowly 25-22.
Keswick were in similar territory against Northern at Davidson Park but in the end lost 21-16.
Both camps will have been encouraged with how they performed in those two games and will look to carry the momentum into this derby contest.
Wigton avenged a narrow defeat at Penrith 2nds two weeks ago when they won the return at Lowmoor Road 54-24.
Carlisle also topped a half-century of points, beating Creighton 57-6 but had to stir themselves in the second-half after a very close first 40 minutes.
The city side, looking to bounce back from last season’s relegation have been taken closest so far by Egremont (24-15) while Wigton appear to be hitting decent form after a surprise opening day defeat to Creighton.
Aspatria are doing best among the four Cumbrian clubs in Regional 2 North and will be looking to make further progress when they host Morpeth.
But this could be a close one as they have identical records so far. Aspatria just take sixth in the table by virtue of their minus eight points differential against Morpeth’s minus 13.
The north east side have scored 22 more points than the Black Reds but they have also conceded 27 more.
Upper Eden started the season impressively but have been slowed in recent weeks and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
They travel to Northern on the back of a narrow home defeat by Aspatria while their hosts just held-on at Keswick.
In North West One there’s a very attractive game at Mint Bridge where Kendal entertain leaders Blackburn.
The visitors lead the table on points differential from Macclesfield with Kendal 11 points further back in fourth.
Dan Bowman’s men were denied an away win at Leek last week by a last minute penalty and had to settle for a draw.
Leek come to Cumbria this week to take-on Penrith who were battered at Rossendale last week, going down 106-14 – which is being assumed as their biggest-ever defeat.
Injuries have played a major part in the disruption felt by Penrith after their promotion and half the side that played in the final game of 2022/23 were missing on Saturday.
Kirkby Lonsdale are clearing their heads and finding their feet again after relegation and so far in Regional 2 North West have managed two wins and a 19-19 draw at Vale of Lune last week.
Their latest task is a home game against Whitchurch who are one place and two points better off in the table.
The other games in Counties 1 Cumbria are: Creighton v Workington; Keswick 2nds v Windermere; Millom v Whitehaven; St. Benedict’s v Hawcoat Park.
