The big Cumbrian derby dominates the county rugby union programme tomorrow.
County enthusiasts might be in danger of missing their weekend fix unless they are at Mint Bridge.
For while Kendal are taking on Penrith in Regional 1 North East the four Cumbrian sides in Regional 2 North are all away and there are no Counties 1 Cumbria games.
There should have been two games in the RFU’s Community Cup, but both have been conceded.
Creighton haven’t enough players to make the trip to Cockermouth while Windermere are unable to fulfil their fixture at St Benedict’s.
Down to the last two in the county now it means that 70% of Cumbrian matches in the competition have not been played.
But back to that derby clash, and as usual a very tight contest is expected.
Penrith are ahead in the league table, lying fifth and are ten points and three places better-off than their hosts.
But the Winters Park side weren’t impressive in seeing off winless York last Saturday, needing a late rally to win 27-25.
That had followed a heavy defeat by 69-14 at Ilkley.
They have also suffered some unfortunate injuries of late which has affected performances.
Kendal lost 47-36 at Middlesbrough which had followed a 39-22 home win over lowly Sandal.
So nothing wrong with the attack it seems but work for Dan Bowman to do on his defence.
Recent games between the two have been closely contested and there hasn’t been much between them in the end. That trend is likely to continue.
In the Regional 2 North Keswick are up to the heady heights of second.
They travel to Durham City tomorrow for what might be a testing fixture.
Their hosts produced their best form of the season so far last week when they won 46-17 at Aspatria.
Keswick had won a really tough home game with West Hartlepool which meant they leap-frogged their opponents who slipped to fourth.
Keswick are putting together some excellent results under coach Garry Holmes and lead the Cumbrian challenge in this league.
Aspatria, on the receiving end at Bower Park last week, have been inconsistent but have certainly not been helped by a lengthy injury list.
They should be stronger for the trip to Guisborough, a game that in pre-season coach Andy Brown would have no doubt targeted for a win.
They are currently next to bottom with two wins from their six games and last week were in Cumbria, going down 36-23 at Upper Eden.
The Pennine Park side are gradually establishing themselves at this level and are sixth in the table.
They go to Percy Park tomorrow to take on a side who are a place and two points better off with the same record – three wins and three defeats.
Wigton are still looking for their first win but there were positives to take from last week’s 41-0 home defeat to leaders Northern.
There are signs they are adapting to the higher league and take on a Consett side who are third bottom, but last week stunned Morpeth 39-30 away from home.
