The new league season is a month away and several of Cumbria’s clubs are gearing up for it by playing friendlies on Saturday.
Carlisle put two teams out for pipe-openers at home with the first XV taking on Scottish visitors Garnock while the second team, the Crusaders also have travellers in opposition – Winlaton Vulcans,
Jonny Watson has been appointed to referee the first XV game while Mike Pate takes charge of the Crusaders.
Aspatria and Tarleton have struck up a friendship from the time they played against each other in a north west division but with Aspatria moving to the North East that League fixture has gone.
However the strong links the two clubs have means that Tarleton will be visiting Bower Park again on Saturday with Alistair Jones the man on duty in the middle.
Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal used to be in the same League, but not any longer, but they have fixed up to play a friendly at Underley Park with Martin Maughan officiating.
Two sides who will meet up in Counties One Cumbria this coming season are also lining-up for a friendly in advance – Hawcoat Park v Windermere with Stephen Elliott in charge.
Keswick are travelling out of the county for their first friendly, lining up against Vale of Lune.
