There’s no let up for patched-up Penrith as they face another tough away trip tomorrow in Regional 1 North East.
The Winters Park team travel to Alnwick, still missing a large quantity of players which has again necessitated the cancellation of their second team game at Hawcoat Park.
Last week they had 30 players unavailable so the 2nds game with Keswick 2nds was called-off while the first team travelled to Middlesbrough very under-strength.
Those who came into the side gave everything but the strength and experience of their hosts told in the end with a 58-15 win.
These recent injury setbacks have contributed to a slide down the table after a bright start saw them joint top.
Alnwick are fourth in the table, two places and ten points better off than their visitors.
Last week Alnwick put-up a fine effort at leaders Heath who have won every game but could only manage a 26-19 victory on this occasion.
Kendal romped home 46-8 against bottom side Cleckheaton last week but have a bit more on their plate tomorrow at third-in-the-table Harrogate.
Their hosts go into the game on the back of a 28-12 win at York, the team keeping company with Cleckheaton on eight points apiece.
Kendal were not at their best in beating Cleckheaton but managed it comfortably against a side who look destined for the drop.
Robbie Kincart, Ben Dixon, Andy Rogers, man of the match Ollie Rose, Evan Moir and Barney Coxon scored the Kendal tries with Moir converting five and adding two penalties.
There’s some interesting games for the Cumbrian sides in Regional 2 North.
Keswick, who have lost two recently to lose second place in the table, have a really attractive home clash with leaders Northern.
No better way to get back to winning ways by beating the table toppers, who of course have bad memories of a recent trip to Cumbria when they were humbled by Upper Eden, their first defeat of the season.
Simon Barker is the appointed referee for the Davidson Park clash.
This week Upper Eden travel to bottom side Wigton, who are still seeking their first win of the season.
Both go into the game on the back of away defeats – Wigton by 73-22 at West Hartlepool and Upper Eden 31-27 at Sunderland.
The two sides met fairly recently in the County Cup with Upper Eden coming out on top 28-24, which was one of Wigton’s best efforts so far.
Martin Maughan will be the man in the middle for this all-county clash.
Aspatria put-up a decent effort at leaders Northern last week losing 29-7, but they are now third bottom, level on points with Durham City.
They need to start picking-up points quickly and have a visit from third-in-the-table Sunderland tomorrow.
The game will be controlled by a Durham exchange referee Mark Harrington.
Cumbria Referees Society’s fixtures secretary Mike Firby said ahead of the weekend: “There are some interesting level 7 games, plus 6 RFU League and Ladies Cup games on Sunday.
“The appointments list this week shows that in 50% of games on Saturday the referee will have a referee developer there as well.
“Cumbria Referees appreciate the work and help given by the society developers in improving the standard of refereeing and developing the progress of referees.”
In Counties 1 Cumbria Carlisle have lost top spot by virtue of Hawcoat Park being awarded the five points for the cancellation by Penrith 2nds.
It means Carlisle trail by two points when they travel to Whitehaven tomorrow. Jonny Watson will be the man in the middle.
Third-placed Kirkby Lonsdale visit Ambleside who will be keen to put the memory of last week’s 50-0 mauling by St Benedict’s behind them. Dan Shovelton will referee.
It will undoubtedly be a bit tougher for Benny’s this week when they entertain west Cumbrian rivals Egremont, who put in a good effort last week in a 42-23 defeat at Carlisle. Paddy Loughran will be the referee.
Other games tomorrow are: Creighton v Millom (Stephen Elliot); Windermere v Cockermouth (Cieron Trainor) and Workington v Keswick 2nds (Mike Firby).
