There are only two senior games in the Cumbria rugby union programme this weekend as once again the RFU have declared it free of league fixtures.
The international programme is being allowed to dominate and what harm that will cause to playing numbers can only be determined later in the season.
It’s been stop-start for a week or two now and clubs at the lower end of the squad-strength chain could be feeling it.
Mike Firby, fixtures secretary for the Cumbria Referees Society, has already apologised to his panel of officials for the lack of games and there have been mutterings from clubs as well over the frequent break in fixtures.
In this day and age teams need to be playing regularly for continuity, or very quickly players can find other things to do on a Saturday.
Both games being played are in the County Cup – with Kendal hosting Kirkby Lonsdale under the lights on Friday night and Keswick welcoming Carlisle on Saturday afternoon.
Upper Eden, who beat Wigton 28-24, and holders Penrith (through on a walk-over when Aspatria pulled out) are already in the semi-finals.
Kendal, beaten finalists last season, will be strong favourites to get through against Kirkby Lonsdale tomorrow night while resurgent Keswick, despite defeat last week will be fancied to go through against unbeaten Counties 1 Cumbria leaders Carlisle.
Taking charge of the game at Kendal tomorrow night will be Simon Barker with Martin Denvir officiating at Keswick.
Kendal put up a decent effort at Blaydon last week in Regional 1 North East as Ben Dixon and Patrick Wolstenholme scored their tries in a 24-12 defeat.
Kirkby Lonsdale, now two levels below their hosts, were 29-23 winners in Counties 1 Cumbria last week and they sit third in the table but 10 points behind Carlisle. The city side and Hawcoat Park are both 100% from six games.
Carlisle played last Friday and won 36-0 at Penrith 2nds with tries from Tom Graham (2), Tom Gibson, John Park, Jake Whittaker and Charlie Beattie. Vince Lung kicked three conversions.
There is one second team fixture on Saturday between Upper Eden and Acklam in the CANDY League Division Two South and Jonny Watson will be in the middle.
Sunday’s game between Keswick Ladies and Gateshead Women has been postponed as the north east side can’t raise sufficient players.
However a Girls friendly between Penrith and Keswick does go ahead on Sunday at 2pm with George Tresidder the referee.
Also on Sunday – North Colts Typhoon League – Wigton v Blaydon (Gerry Garvey) and Ospreys v Stockton (Martin Maughan).
Finally Senior Colts Conference – Furness v Winnington Park (Cieran Trainor).
