Penrith went bottom of the Regional 1 North West table after last week’s 64-17 defeat at Blackburn.
But there were signs that they are making positive steps with particular encouragement from the way the younger players have responded.
Apart from the middle part of the second half Penrith’s young side, featuring seven teenagers, had acquitted themselves very well under the circumstances.
It points to a bright future but in the here and now they need a win or two starting on Saturday as results did not go their way and they now sit at the bottom of the league.
There were positives though. Ashton Hook had made a more than impressive debut; Isaac Murray again looked more than calm under pressure and Harvey Johnston continues to grow in confidence and looks the part as he adjusts to adult rugby.
Anselmians are the visitors to Winters Park and they are fresh from a hard-earned 19-12 home win over Kendal. They sit ninth in the table seven points better-off than their Cumbrian hosts.
Kendal have hit a bad run after a very bright start to the season. They are currently sixth in the table ahead of a visit from Wirral who are two places and four points better-off than the Mint Bridge side.
They travel north after a 15-7 home win last Saturday against Northwich.
In Regional 2 North there’s another Cumbrian derby in prospect – as there often is in this league.
This time it’s the turn of Keswick to entertain Upper Eden at Davidson Park.
Upper Eden finished all-square 10-10 at home to Cockermouth last week while Keswick picked up a losing bonus point at Stockton.
Keswick have been showing gradual improvement while Eden have been finding it tougher after a fine start to life after promotion.
Cockermouth thought they could have won last week’s drawn fixture at Upper Eden and they will want to follow-up with another positive performance at home to Morpeth.
Aspatria’s good run was ended at Consett and the Black Reds have a good opportunity to get back into the groove at Bower Park.
They host West Hartlepool who only have the three other Cumbrian sides below them and last week drew 29-29 at home to Middlesbrough.
In Counties 1 Cumbria there’s a game on Friday night when Penrith 2nds entertain Aspatria 2nds under the Winters Park lights.
On Saturday the League leaders Carlisle entertain Wigton, a quick turnaround as the pair met recently at Lowmoor Road.
The other games are: Creighton v Egremont; Hawcoat Park v Workington; Keswick 2nds v St Benedict’s; Whitehaven v Windermere.
