The big Cumbrian derby this weekend is played in Regional 1 North West rather than what has been a regular occurrence in Regional 2 North.
Penrith host county rivals Kendal in Cumbria’s game of the day at Winters Park with the home side looking for the win that should ensure survival at that level for next season.
Kendal have been solid mid-table all season which would be the first requirement of new head coach Dan Bowman when he was appointed.
In November Kendal came out on top 13-0 at Mint Bridge in the first clash between the two in their new-look League.
It will be noted by Penrith that they were several players short of a full-strength side and since the turn of the year have been getting bodies back and moving towards safety.
As the table stands with three games left Kendal are sixth, two places and seven points better off than Saturday’s hosts.
Probably of more importance to Penrith is that they are 12 points clear of the drop zone which currently have three clubs all on 25 points battling to avoid the trap door!
Penrith will want to get themselves safe this week-end if possible as the last two games are away at fourth-placed Wirral and leaders Macclesfield.
However the fact that the bottom three have two fixtures involving a pair of them – Sandbach v Leek and Leek v Northwich – suggests that Penrith might already have enough points on the board.
That won’t alter the fact that both sides will be striving that little bit extra at Winters Park to show whose currently top dog in Cumbrian rugby union. Cumbrian Level 5 Referee Andy Shaw will be in charge of the game.
In Regional 2 North the big question is – will Cockermouth be the only side relegated as has been suggested by the latest info out of Twickenham?
Upper Eden and Keswick will be taking nothing for granted and striving for every point available over the last three games.
Both have big home games on Saturday with sides also down there in the bottom five as Keswick (10th, 36pts) entertain Morpeth (9th, 37pts) while Upper Eden (8th, 39pts) host Stockton (11th, 34pts).
Two convincing home wins here should go a long way to confirming same level status next season, with or without RFU’s recent confirmation.
For Cockermouth, set to make a quick return to Counties 1 Cumbria, the objective is to get a win on the board before the end of the season.
Their best chance will be on Saturday when they entertain Consett, who are seventh in the table, just a point better off than Upper Eden.
No such concerns for Aspatria as they are in fifth place, probably a little disappointed they won’t make the top three as looked a possibility in mid-season.
They have a particularly tough finish to the campaign with matches against three of the top four.
Durham City, in fourth but 10 points better off than the Black Reds, visit Bower Park on Saturday; they then travel to leaders Percy Park and finish off on April 6 at home to third-placed Middlesbrough.
Three Federation referees from Northumberland and Durham will be taking charge of games at Aspatria (Rebecca Rees), Keswick (Lewis Lacey) and at Kirkby Lonsdale (Shaun Cox).
Kirkby Lonsdale operate in Regional 2 North West and are battling to avoid a second successive relegation. They suffered a narrow 23-17 defeat at Douglas (Isle of Man) last week and with three games to go are our points from safety.
They have a tough home test this week against leaders Birkenhead Park while their final two games are at second-placed Bowdon and home to fourth in the table Crewe and Nantwich.
Martin Denvir (at Cockermouth) and Simon Barker (at Upper Eden) complete the line-up of officials at Level 6.
Counties 1 Cumbria complete their fixtures with the following games – Aspatria 2nds v Penrith 2nds (Mike Firby); Egremont v Keswick 2nds (Daniel Shovelton); Hawcoat Park v Whitehaven (Paddy Loughran); St. Benedict’s v Windermere (Alistair Jones).
Sadly the Wigton v Workington (Archie Harding) game has been called-off as the Zebras are unable to raise a side.
Ahead of these matches senior referee Mike Firby said: “This week sees the final league games at level 7.
“The clubs have seen next season’s structure and possible promotion so the level 6 games at Cockermouth, Keswick, Upper Eden and Kirkby Lonsdale are crucial as it is essential to Cumbrian rugby we keep as many teams at level 6 as possible as this has a direct link to level 7 structure next season.
“This is not a dig at the clubs but at the structure of level 7 and the fact that there was no level 8 league (other 2nd teams) in Cumbria.”
The big Ladies game in Women’s NC2 North on Sunday (ko 2pm) between Keswick and Workington will see Martin Maughan in the middle.
