Cumbria and Scotland will be exchanging a couple of referees this weekend as League rugby is set to get back into action.
Only two games survived last week’s freezing conditions – Penrith v Wirral and Whitehaven v Wigton.
It’s a full programme on Saturday with Scottish referees taking charge of matches in Regional Two North at Aspatria and Cockermouth.
Brodie Duncan will take the county derby clash between Aspatria and Upper Eden at Bower Park while Roberto Alegria will be at Cockermouth for the Wasps game with Stockton.
Aspatria will no doubt recall last season’s chastening County Cup defeat by Upper Eden, who went on to lose in the final to Penrith.
The Black Reds are looking for a top three finish in their League and have a proud unbeaten home record behind them this season.
Upper Eden are fighting to avoid the drop back to Counties 1 Cumbria and have been involved in several tight games at the higher level. They visit Aspatria on the back of a good win over Middlesbrough two weeks ago.
Cockermouth look destined for relegation as they still seek a first win but will be hopeful of opening their account against a Stockton side who are fourth bottom.
Third bottom at the moment are Keswick who have showed themselves capable of fighting clear of danger with some of their performances, but they have a tough task on their hands this time with a trip to second-placed Northern.
Two of the Cumbria Society referees are to take charge of games in Scotland, with Martin Maughan and Simon Barker travelling over the border.
Martin is doing Edinburgh Accies v Biggar while Simon will have charge of Watsonians and Boroughmuir.
In North One West Penrith were disappointed to lose by a point to Wirral at Winters Park but they were able to pick up two points from the game.
That keeps them at the head of the group of six who will provide the relegated sides at the end of the season.
Although gutted at the result the squad might reflect on the quality of their performance and the two bonus points they did secure, and also the fact they have accrued 18 of the 25 available points in the last five games.
Saturday will be all about restoring some lost pride when Penrith host Rossendale at Winters Park.
Leading Macclesfield on scoring differential Rossendale are the League’s top scorers with 715 points – as Penrith can well testify.
On October 14 Penrith suffered the worst defeat in their history – 106-14 – at Rossendale so more than ever want to put in a big performance against the League leaders.
There’s an added attraction at Winters Park as beforehand Cumbria girls will be playing Yorkshire in an Under-18s county game.
It will be refereed by 17-year-old Archie Harding who has done well with two games in the middle at Level 7.
After their postponement last week Kendal will welcome a return to Mint Bridge and a game against Leek.
They are one of the six clubs in the bottom half of the table, currently only five points above current wooden spoonists Sandbach.
Dan Bowman’s men are sixth, one place and ten points ahead of Penrith.
In Counties 1 Cumbria there’s a good game in prospect on Friday night when leaders Carlisle visit Penrith 2s for a game under the Winters Park lights.
Carlisle have been out of action for three weeks but are edging closer to a quick return to a higher level of rugby.
The other games are on Saturday: Workington v Aspatria 2nds (Alan Jenkinson); St. Benedict’s v Egremont (Martin Denvir); Hawcoat Park v Windermere (George Tressider): Keswick 2s v Whitehaven (Martyn Harrison); Millom v Wigton (Paddy Loughran).
