Penrith lost the local bragging rights with Kendal so get back to business on Saturday to battle clear of the relegation zone.
They gave a decent show in the 13-0 defeat at Kendal and now have to look at bouncing back at home to Wirral.
League positions suggest it will be a tough ask with Wirral lying fourth in the table but Penrith have been encouraged by recent performances.
It’s been a tough start to the Regional 1 North West campaign with several senior players out through injury.
But what it has done is underline just how many promising youngsters Penrith have on their club conveyor belt and although it’s been a tough baptism will inevitably do them good.
If Penrith face a tough task, Kendal have an onerous one in prospect when they travel to Macclesfield.
They share the lead with both Rossendale and Blackburn who are all on 46 points.
Kendal lie sixth some 16 points behind the leading trio but enjoying their season more than they did last year.
In Regional 2 North all four Cumbrian sides have home games to look forward to – as long as the ice and frost aren’t so severe.
Top of the bill is the clash at Bower Park where Aspatria entertain the League leaders Percy Park.
The visitors are seven points clear at the top and 17 points ahead of fourth-placed Aspatria. Park have only lost once in ten outings.
Last week Aspatria had to work hard to beat Cockermouth in the County Cup, but they have a fine home record and will fight hard to retain that against the League leaders.
Cockermouth will have been encouraged by their performance at Aspatria but it goes without saying they need points on the board from League matches.
They should have an opportunity to get that first League win on the board when they host third bottom West Hartlepool.
Last season’s national Trophy win over West Hartlepool will still be fresh on their minds and can help inspire them to a needed win.
Keswick have been putting together some decent performances of late, including a gritty show last week in the County Cup at Penrith.
They will feel they are capable of getting more valuable points when they host Consett. The visitors are just two places ahead of them in the table and eight points better off.
Upper Eden are at home to Morpeth and will be encouraged by the fact that the visitors have been beaten recently by both Aspatria and Keswick.
The Pennine Park side did their morale a lot of good last week when they went to Kirkby Lonsdale in the County Cup and were successful to reach the semi-final stage again.
In Counties 1 Cumbria leaders Carlisle are at home to Millom but there have already been suggestions the south Cumbrians might not be travelling.
The other games are: Creighton v Aspatria 2nds; Keswick 2nds v Workington; Penrith 2nds v St. Benedict’s’ Whitehaven v Wigton; Windermere v Egremont.
