There’s a weekend of crucial games with local derbies and cup games in a full set of fixtures – 18 weather permitting – for the county’s Rugby Union enthusiasts.
Top of the bill is the Regional 1 North West, Level Five confrontation at Mint Bridge where Kendal go head-to-head with county rivals Penrith.
Northumberland Referee Ricky Handa will have charge of this one between a Kendal side who were always ahead of Penrith in the League last season but are just behind this time round.
In the 12-strong league, both are in the bottom half after seven games but seemingly clear of any immediate relegation concerns.
Penrith, who have recently played the top two, lie seventh but only three points clear of Kendal who are ninth.
This is likely to be one derby clash which follows the script and will be exceptionally close to call.
There’s an exchange referee involved in Regional North Two with Durham referee Adam Tweddle heading for Pennine Park where Upper Eden have a county derby on their hands against Kirkby Lonsdale.
Kirkby Lonsdale are two points adrift of Guisborough at the bottom with the pair threatened with being cut adrift. Upper Eden are third bottom and will see this as an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the strugglers.
With a fixture at Guisborough on Saturday Aspatria will believe they can get back on track after some recent disappointing defeats.
The Black Reds are a point better off than Upper Eden in ninth place, not where they expected to be.
Carlisle and Keswick, 7th and 8th in the table and separated by three points are the leading Cumbrian sides going into the week-end.
On the evidence of the League table Carlisle have the better chance of changing that, with whom they meet tomorrow.
Carlisle entertain Consett, the team immediately above them in the table, and three points better off, while Keswick have a tough ask in travelling to joint leaders Northern. Matt Duncan will referee the Carlisle game.
There are six games in Countries 1 Cumbria with two of them proper derby clashes.
The Lakes derby sees Ambleside host Windermere (Roger Moffatt) while in West Cumbria it’s St Benedict’s v Whitehaven (Jimmy Watson).
The leaders Wigton have a serious test when they entertain Cockemouth in the League’s match of the day which will have Simon Barker in the middle.
Another tight looking game sees Egremont entertain Hawcoat Park (Dan Shovelton) while the other game is Keswick 2nds v Workington (Mike Firby).
The week-end’s rugby programme actually starts on Friday night under the Winters Park lights when Penrith Under-17s take on the Keswick/Cockermouth Ospreys in a Cumbria Age Group Cup encounter. Jim Donald will referee.
These Age Group County Cup games follow on Saturday with Carlisle Under-17s v Egremont Under-17s (2pm, Ben Blain) and Kirkby Lonsdale Under-14s girls v Keswick Under-14s girls (1pm, Martin Maughan).
There’s also CANDY League Div 2 South (1.45pm, Mike Pate) – Upper Eden 2nds v Wensleydale 2nds and NOWIRUL Wayne Lord Plumbing Division 2 North (2.15pm, Stephen Elliott) Kirkby Lonsdale Development v Sedgley Park 3rds.
On Sunday in the Halbro Junior Colts League (12.30pm, Craig Hine) it’s Furness Under-17s v Bolton Under-17s and at Kendal, (2.30pm, Nathaniel Mitton) it’s Cumbria Under-16s against Northumberland Under-16s.
Which still leaves three women’s Papa John’s matches at Carlisle, Keswick and Workington.
Papa John’s Women’s Intermediate Plate (2pm, Martin Maughan) – Carlisle Ladies v Bolton Ladies; Papa John’s Women’s Intermediate Cup (2pm, Jim Donald), Keswick Ladies v Halifax Ladies and Papa John’s Women’s Junior Plate (2pm, Roy Hyslop) – Workington Finches v Aspull Ladies.
