Penrith have had a change of opposition in the Papa John’s competition which will be played at the end of the League season.
In the original regional draw for the Championship Shield Penrith were in the same group as Stoke-on-Trent who were programme to visit Winter’s Park on April 27.
It appears as though the Potteries side objected to the amount of travelling involved and they were placed in another group.
Instead Penrith will have Cleckheaton as their visitors but there’s been a switch round in fixtures.
On April 13 Penrith will start at home to Cleckheaton before travelling to Anselmians the following week.
The Cumbrians will finish-off at home to Pontefract on April 27 with the competition set to climax in May.
Cleckheaton play in Regional 1 North East and are currently eighth in the table with 33 points, ten points better off than Pontefract who are bottom.
Looking at the quality of the opposition Penrith will fancy their chances of making progress on the road to Twickenham – although after a long, hard season much will depend on fitness and availability come the end of April.
They have also been guaranteed a place in the County Cup final as they bid to retain the trophy they won last year.
Scheduled opponents Upper Eden announced this week that they were conceding the tie to concentrate their efforts on staying in Regional Two North.
Penrith team manager Mike Sanderson said: “It’s a shame as there’s nothing like a local derby.
“But we understand where they’re coming from. It’s been a fight for them to get out of the Cumbria League and the last thing they’ll want ids to drop straight back.
“We did a similar thing a few years back when faced with the same problem.”
