After a stop-start spell it’s back to a full programme of league matches for Cumbrian rugby union sides.
The regular breaks in fixtures do nothing for continuity and frustrate players, club officials and referees throughout the community game.
In Regional 1 North East the Cumbrian pair both have games against opposition in the bottom three.
Kendal host Cleckheaton who are rock bottom with only one win in eight games.
Dan Bowman’s men will be looking to collect maximum points from this one and improve their own position (8th).
Penrith travel to third bottom Middlesbrough who have only won twice in eight games.
However, after a fine start to the season, Penrith have hit a wall and they go into this one on the back of a home drubbing by Sandal.
In Regional 2 North all four Cumbrian sides are on the road to the north east.
Aspatria have the toughest test as they visit leaders Northern who have been beaten only once so far.
That defeat was two weeks ago at Upper Eden, well beaten 29-7 by the Pennine Park side.
Northern will be primed to make amends for that set-back so the Black Reds can expect a hot reception.
But Aspatria need the points badly themselves. They are among three clubs level on 17 points with only Wigton (3) below them.
It’s been a tough learning curve for Wigton’s young side, who were probably promoted a year sooner than ideal.
They travel to West Hartlepool who are inconsistent, but can be impressive on their day.
Keswick and Upper Eden are showing the way for Cumbria with the Lakes side in second place and only four points behind leaders Northern.
They did suffer a setback two weeks ago when they lost at home to Guisborough and face a tricky test at Percy Park who are only five points behind them.
Upper Eden make the trip to third-placed Sunderland but should fear no-one after their magnificent win over Northern.
At last seven games in Counties 1 Cumbria, which will certainly please the local referees as all four Regional 2 North games are being played out of the county.
The two 100% sides after six games have home games which they will expect to win.
Carlisle host Egremont, with Simon Baxter officiating while Hawcoat Park have Creighton as their visitors and Dan Shovelton will be in charge.
There’s a good clash in prospect at Kirkby Lonsdale v Cockermouth (Martin Maughan) and it will be interesting to see how revitalised Ambleside fare at St Benedict’s (Lee Jones).
The other games are: Whitehaven v Workington (Martin Denvir); Windermere v Millom (Jonny Watson) and Keswick 2nds v Penrith 2nds (Mike Firby).
Theres also a CANDY Div 2 South game between Upper Eden 2nds and Hartlepool 2nds (Elliott Walker),
Three women’s matches on Sunday are – Kendal v Sheffield (Danny Airey); Workington v Keswick (Nathaniel Mitton) and Penrith v Stockton (Stewart Mounsey).
